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Town of Plainfield, 

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, MASS., 

From its Settlement to 1891, 

INCLUDING A GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF TWENTY-THREE (W 

THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS, 

WITH ANECDOTES AND SKETCHES. 



BY CHARLES N. DYER. 



NORTHAMrTON, MASS. : 

PRESS OF GAZETTE PRINTING CO. 
1891, 



PREFACE 



No history of tlie town having heen pnhlished since that 
by Dr. Jacob Porter in 18;>-l-, it seemed to me desirable and 
proper that another shonhl be written. The ohl records 
being m my care made it an easy matter to refer to them 
constantly in compiling this work. It is believed that all 
dates given can be relied on as accurate, being taken from 
the original records, with very few exceptions. The his- 
tory by Dr. Porter has been of great assistance. I have 
also obtained some facts from the Hampshire County 
Gazetteer, and also from an article in the " Magazine of 
American History," of March, 1887, by Mrs. Martha J. 
Lamb. I am also indebted to Mr. Levi Clark. Mr. Levi N. 
Campbell, Mr. Chas. Lyman Shaw, and others, for infor- 
mation furnished. The genealogical record of some of 
the original settlers has been omitted because their de- 
scendants have all long since removed or deceased, — and 
others l^ecause their records are very imperfect. 

The ]ilates of portrait of Charles Dudley Warner, his 
birthplace, and the present church and town hall were 
kindly loaned by Messrs. Wade, Warner & Co., pro])rie- 
tors of " Picturesque Hampshire," for us(^ in tliis work. 



-^ 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Situation and Extent. — Boundaries, Angles and Mea.surements.— HuRFAfE.— 
Streams and Ponds.— Pish.— Minerals.— Soil.— Productions.— Timueh. 

CHAPTER II. 

Early Civil Historv.--'' Hatfield Ei^uivalent." — Grants. — First Settlers. — 
FiR.ST Town Meeting. — Subsecjuent Meetings. — List of Selectmen. — Town 
Clerks.— Representatives in General Court. 

CHAPTER III. 

Church History.- Early Ministers. — Organization of Fir.st Church.— List of 
Original Members.— First Meeting-House.— Price of Materials.— Plan of 
Interior.— Dedication.— Belfry and Bell.— Sundry Items.— Call and Set- 
tlement OF Rev. Moses Hallock. — Installation.— Entertain.ment. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Sketch op Rev. Moses Hallock. — His School.— Anecdotes.— Colleague Called. 
-Rev. Dana Goodsell.— " Stop that Preparation." — His Succe.s.sors.— Dea- 
cons. — Present Meeting-House. — Daniels Fund.— Organization of First Par- 
ish. — Baptist Society. — Advent Chapel. 

CHAPTER V. 

Schools. — First Location op Houses. — Number Increased. — Reduced in Number 
AND Re-located.— " Moving Committee."— I.xcidents of Removing. — District 
System. — List of School Committee.— Statistics. — Names of Present Pupils 
IN the Public Schools. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Town Hall.— Roads.— Early Modes of Travel.— Lost in the Woods. — Early 
Bridge Building. — Present System of Repairing Roads.— Road Commission- 
ers. — Names op Streets. — Post Offices. — Postmasters. — First Mail Supply. 
— Present Mail Facilities.— Early Rates op Po.stage. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Cemeteries. — Bill of Mortality. — List of Aged Deceased. — suicides. — Sudden 
Deaths. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Stores and Manufactures. — John Mack. — I. K. LiNcor.N and Others. — Jacob 
AND Levi Clark. — Leonard Campbell. — Stores at Present Time. — Robinson's 
Corn Mill. — Warner, Whiting & Co.— Streeter's Factory.— Tannery.— Oth- 
er Manufactures. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Physicians.— Dr. Torrey.— Dr. Porter.— Dr. Samuel Shaw. 
ER."— Later Practitioners.— Justices of the Peace. 



Hit Him Anotii- 



CHAPTER X. 

Rkvolutionary Pensioners.— Soldiers of 1812.— Arth.lery Company —List of 
Soldiers in War of the Rebellion.— Deaths Among.— G. A. R. Post. 

CHAPTER XL 

College Graduates and Professional Men. 

^ CHAPTER XII. 

Census.— Valuation.— List op Voters.— Political Parties.— Campaign of 1840. 
Bits from the Old Records.— Incidents and Reminiscences.— Fires. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Persons Now Living Here Over 75.— Foreigners.— Old Houses.— General Type 
—Original Dwellings Now Standing.— Singing Schools.- ■" The Old Village 
Choir."— Dramatic Club.— " Saddle the Dogs.'-- Contrast. 



INDEX OF GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 



Ebenezer Bisbee. 
Joseph Beals. 
John Campbell. 
Abram Clark. 
Jacob Clark. 
Andrew Cook. 
Jesse Dyer. 
Joseph Gloyd. 
Moses Hallock. 
John Hamlen. 
Jacob Jones. 



Isaac Joy. 
Jacob Nash. 
Barnabas Packard. 
James Richards. 
Josiah Shaw. 
Samuel Streeter. 
Josiah Torrey. 
Amos Tirrell. 
EiLJAH Warner. 
Caleb White. 
David Whiton. 



Jacob Whitmarsh. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Charles N. Dyer. 
First Meeting House. 
Plan of Interior. 
Church and Town Hall. 
Mill of Mountain Miller. 
Dr. Samuel Shaw. 



Charles Dudley Warner. 
His Birthplace. 
Levi N. Campbell. 
Louis L. Campbell. 
Leavitt Hallock. 
Freeman Hamlen. 



CHAPTER I. 

Situation and Extent.— Boundaries. Angles and Mkasurements.— Surface.— 
Streams and Ponds. — Pish. — Minerals.— Soil. — Production-s.— Timber. 

Plciiiilield is situated in the extreme north-west cunnier 
of Htunpshire County, twenty mik^s north-west from 
N(n-th;im|)ton. It lias an area of about twenty S(|uare 
miles, measuring- al)out live miles east and west, and four 
miles north and south. It is b(junded on the north l^y 
Hawley, east by Ashfield, both in Franklin Co., south by 
Cummington, and west by Windsor and Savoy, both in 
Berkshire Co. According to a survey made l)y Eliphalet 
Darling in IHol, by order of the General Court, the boun- 
dary lines and angles are as follows : Beginning at the 
N. W. corner, which is nearly a mile north of Edward 
W. Mason's, where A. N. Remington formerly lived, 
thence running E. 11)° S. four miles, ol4 rods to the N. 
E. corner, this line being the boundary between Hawley 
and Plainlield. The N. E. corner is about \'-io rods north 
of the f(n'mer residence of L. N. Campbell, where G. W. 
Billings now lives. From this corner, the boundary be- 
tween Ashfield and Plainfield runs S. 17° W. 217 rods, 
thence S. oiY E. 12:3 rods, thence E. 1!)° 20' S. 85 rods, 
thence S. 1!»° 20' W. 401 rods, thence S. oO' E. 517 rods 
to the S. E. corner, this being also the S. W. corner of 
Ashfield. The N. E. corner of Cummin,gton is about 
three-fourths of a mile east of this corner. Tln^ monu- 
ment marking the S. E. corner of Plainlield. is a))ont 



8 HISTORY OF PI.AINFIELD. 

tliree-foiirtlis of a mile N. E. of tlie house of James W. 
Loud. Tlie boundary between Cummington and Plain- 
field runs from this corner, W. 17° S. 195 rods, thence 
W. 20° N. five miles and four rods to the S. W. corner 
and Windsor line, running over the summit of Deer 
Hill. This corner is in a small mow lot not quite half 
a mile N. W. of the mill of the L. L. Brown Paper Co. 
in West Cummington. The boundary between Windsor 
and Plainfield runs from this C(jrner N. 18° W. two miles 
and 287 rods to a monument which marks the N. E. 
corner of Windsor. This is about fifty rods S. of Geo. 
A. Blanchard's. Thence running W. 18° N. 160 rods to 
Savoy line. This corner is ab(jut sixty rods S. of Ed- 
ward W. Mason's, and not far from the South Pond in 
Windsor. The line between Savoy and Plainfield runs 
from this corner N. 18° E. one mile to the place of be- 
ginning. These lines are perambulated and the marks 
and bounds renewed whenever necessary by the Select- 
men of Plainfield in company with the Selectmen of the 
adjoining town, once in five years, according to law. 
The Ashfield line was last run Nov. 15, 188G — Cumming- 
ton and Windsor in Oct. 1888 — Savoy, Nov. 0, 1800 — Haw- 
ley, Nov. 17, 18!)0. Plainfield was incorporated later than 
any of the adjoining towns. The geographical center is 
near the house of Wm. C. Whiting. 

SURFACE. 

This township lies on the eastern side of the Green 
Mountains. It is divided into two nearly equal portions 
by Mill Brook, the largest stream in town, which rising- 
near Hawley line, flows S. W. and S. and empties into 
the north branch of the Westfield in Cummington, a few 



SURFACE. 9 

rods east of the "Otis" bridge. Two ranges of liills 
traverse the town from north to south on each side of 
Mill brot)k, the highest points of these ranges being about 
equi-distant fr(nn the brook and the eastern and western 
boundaries of the town. The west range is considerably 
higher than the east, the highest points being named as 
follows, beginning at the north. The heights given are 
from the late ofhcial survey. Beals Hill, 1980 feet high, 
the summit of which is just across the line in Hawley, 
derived its name from the fact that Samuel Beals, one 
of the early settlers lived (jn it, well up toward the sum- 
mit, as well as his son Dennis, who spent his life on the 
same si)ot. This house we believe is still standing; the 
town line runs through it. The Beals however always 
claimed their residence and voted in Plainfield. South 
of this is Bond Hill, the origin of the name l)eing un- 
known. Then West Mountain, 21 (iO ft. — the highest 
point in Western Hampshire. Further south is Deer 
Hill. 2020 feet high, so called, tradition says, because 
large numbers of deer made it their headquarters in the 
earlier times. Magnificent views are to be obtained from 
their summits, particularly from West and Deer Hills, 
and our summer residents never fail to visit one or more 
of them for that purpose. Standing on these hills, one 
may see Haystack Mt. in Vt. on the north, Monadnock 
in N. H. in the north-east, Mt. Lincoln in Pelliam on 
the east, Chester and Blandford on the south. Saddle Mt. 
in the north-west and Hoosac Mt., under which passes 
the famous Hoosac Tunnel. With a good field-glass one 
may discover many other x)oints of interest. The east 
range is much broader than the west, forming a gently 
undulating table land, which decreases in breadth toward 



10 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

the soutli part, and ends abruptly near the Cuunnington 
line. The only abrupt elevation on this range, and even 
this slopes gently south and east, is at the north end of 
the range. It is proposed to name this elevation, which 
is 1900 feet high, Mt. Warner, in honor of Charles Dud- 
ley Warner, who was born and reared on its heights. 
From this east range the town undoubtedly derives its 
name. It is nearly two miles in breadth at the widest 
part, and falls toward the south at the rate of about 100 
feet to the mile. The village is built near the top and 
on the western slope. The house of the late Dea. Free- 
man Hamlen, in the upper part of the village, is just 
1700 feet above sea level. 

STREAMS AND PONDS. 

The principal streams besides Mill Brook, are Meadow 
brook and " the Grant " brook. The former is made by 
the union of three small streams which take their rise 
on the old Ebenezer Nash farm, a short distance east of 
Russell Tirrell's, and flowing south-east passing near 
Wm. H. Dyer's and No. 2 school-house, finally empties 
into the Westfield at Cummington Village. The Grant 
brook, so called because it passes through the tract of 
land known as Wain Wright's grant, of which we shall 
speak later, takes its rise on the 'Squire Clark place, now 
occupied by A. L. Richmond, and flowing south-east 
through "the Hollow" near David Packard's and Sam- 
uel Parker's, enters a corner of Ashfield, thence to Cum- 
mington, where it becomes the north branch of Swift 
River, em|)tying into the Westfield at Swift River P. O. 
The town abounds in durable springs and nearly all 
dwelling-houses, and also barns, are supplied from them 



STREAMS AND PONDS. 11 

witli ruiiiiiiig water. Tlie upper village is sup})lied by 
an aqueduct from a never failing* spring, half a mile 
north; the lower village from several springs. Wooden 
pipes made from spruce trees five or six inches in di- 
ameter, are in many instances used for an aqueduct. 
When laid in wet or moist ground, they often last until 
worn through l)y the action of the water. 

There are two natural ponds, the North and Crooked, 
both in the north-west part of the town. The North 
pond is about a mile long and half a mile in width in 
the widest part. The outlet is in a northerly direction 
and empties into the Deerfield river above Charlemont, 
while the waters of the Crooked pond, which takes its 
name from its form, flow south-westerly into tlie South 
])on(l in Windsor, which is the head of one of the 
branches of the Westfield river. Both the first named 
ponds are on high land and the outlet streams fall very 
ra])idly. The Crooked pond though only three-fourths 
of a mile from the South pond, is probably 200 feet 
higher. The North pond is a much handsomer body of 
water than the Crooked, the shores for the most part 
being hard and gravelly, while those of the Crooked are 
muddy, the waters being shallow and dotted with stumps, 
Both have been raised somewhat by dams. These })onds 
contain pickerel and perch. The pickerel increase but 
slowly, from the fact that it devours nearly all of its 
young. It is a sort of fresh water shark, feeding on 
almost any fisli smaller than itself. One specimen caught 
on being opened was found to contain another recently 
swallowed, and this contained a third one. The writer 
believes that stocking these i)onds with pickerel was a 
great mistake. The North pond was the natural home 



12 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD. 

of tlie trout, and if tlie pickerel had not been introduced, 
it might now under tlie protection of the hsh and game 
laws, have been well filled with this most desirable fish. 
Perch were introduced into these ponds about twenty 
years since, and have now become plentiful. Nature has 
furnished them with weapons which enable them to 
successfully defend themselves and their young from the 
attacks of the pickerel. They are easily taken with hook 
and line, while the pickerel are only caught by the ex- 
pert angler, and l)ut seldom by him. The most success- 
ful mode of capturing the pickerel is practiced in winter, 
hooks being set in holes cut through the ice. This 
method, however, if the ice be thick is attended with con- 
siderable labor. It is hoped that some time in the fu- 
ture they may be wholly exterminated from these ponds. 
The various streams are moderately well stocked with 
trout, and if they were absolutely protected throughout 
the year for four or five years they would attain consid- 
erable size and numbers. 

MINERALS AND SOIL. 

Dr. Porter, in his history of the town publislied in 1834, 
gives a full treatise on its geology and mineralogy. As 
the writer is neither a geologist or mineralogist, these 
subjects will be omitted in this work. Any one who 
wishes information on these topics, I would respectfully 
refer to "Porter's History of Plainfield," several copies 
of which are still preserved in town and elsewhere. I 
will only say that with one exception no valuable min- 
erals have been discovered here, at least not in sufficient 
quantities to be of any commercial value. The exception 
referred to is manganese or oxide of manganese. This is 



Minerals and soil. 1,^ 

found in the southwest part of tlie town, on the farm of 
Wm. H. Packard, and also on Allen Thayer's, It was 
mined to some extent on the Packard farm years ago, 
and it is understood that it was found in paying quan- 
tities, but for some reason the enterprise was abandoned. 
Outside parties have recently leased a portion of the farm 
for this purpose, and will soon commence (Operations. 
Iron ore, said to be of superi<jr quality, has l)een dug on 
the old Robinson place, now owned by Allen Tliayer, 
about one and one-half miles west of the village, luit has 
not yet been developed in paying (juantities. Some years 
since gold was discovered on West Hill, in the dirt thrown 
out by a woodchuck in digging his hole. It was after- 
ward ascertained, however, that the "claim" had been 
"salted" with small specimens of genuine California ore, 
by a young man living in the vicinity, who wished to 
create a little excitement. The soil is a heavy loam, 
varying in different localities. It has become somewhat 
exhausted, and produces good crops only by the use of 
fertilizers, which in early times were not considered essen- 
tial. Much flax was then raised without fertilizers, the 
same piece of ground being sown for several years in 
succession in many instances. Flax being a very exhaust- 
ing crop, much of the land on which it was raised has 
never recovered its fertility. 

PRODUCTIONS AND TIMBER. 

Corn, oats, barley, rye and buckwheat are successfully 
raised, as well as all kinds of garden vegetables, with the 
exception of onions and melons. Potatoes are so lial)le to 
be affected l)y rot that they are now C(jnsidered a very un- 
certain crop. Fifty or sixty years ago the price of corn 



14 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

was one dollar per bushel, varying bnt little from that 
price. Nearly all the corn was raised at home, very little 
if any being brought into town. It was nearly all used 
for food, it being almost an unheard of thing to feed corn 
or Indian meal to neat stock or horses. A little was fed 
to swine. Considerable quantities of corn are now sown, 
which is used green as feed for milch cows, or cured for 
winter use. It is also used as ensilage to a limited ex- 
tent, a few of the farmers having built silos for that pur- 
pose. By using fertilizers, many tons of this can be pro- 
duced on an acre, and it is considered a profitable crop. 
The western or ' ' horse tooth " variety is generally sown 
for this purpose, though sweet corn is sometimes used. 
The exhausted condition of our pastures makes it nec- 
essary for farmers to produce some green crop to be used 
after the month of August as feed for milch cows. As 
yet no fertilizers are applied to pastures, being used only 
on field and garden crops, and as top-dressing for mead- 
ows. The native trees are principally maple, beech, birch, 
cherry, ash, hemlock and spruce. Elm, bass, poplar, pine 
and balsam are occasionally met with, but are not as com- 
mon as the first named. Each of the first five are found 
in two or more distinct varieties. Oak, chestnut and 
hickory do not grow in the limits of the town. The writer 
is informed by an old resident, that so far as known, only 
one chestnut tree has ever arrived at maturity here. This 
stood about half a mile north of the meeting-house, but 
was struck by lightning and destroyed many years since. 
Very little of the original growth of timber is now stand- 
ing, though first growth rock maples are still quite com- 
mon, and a few beeches yet remain. Scarcely any first 
quality spruce lumber is now produced in town. Enough 



PRODUCTIONS AND TIMBER. l5 

second quality may be liad for such dimension lumber and 
rough boarding as are needed by the inhabitants for 
building purposes. Finishing lumber, clapboards and 
shingles are mostly obtained from lumber dealers in the 
larger towns. Clajiboards from native bass are occasion- 
ally used. Hard wood lands wlien cleared witliout burn- 
ing, are soon covered with a growth of spruce and hemlock, 
while soft wood lands cleared in the same way, are apt to 
spring up to cherry, white birch or poplar. The price for 
hard body wood is $3 per cord, delivered. One of the 
first things attended to by the early settlers after being 
comfortably located, was the setting out of an apple orch- 
ard. These in most cases flourished and bore fruit well. 
Many of these produced only natural fruit, a part only 
being grafted. From the natural fruit great (quantities 
of cider were manufactured, every farmer putting into 
the cellar for use during the year at least six or eight 
barrels, and many a much larger quantity. Some of these 
ancient apple trees still remain and the site of some of the 
old houses is marked by the proximity of a few of these 
trees. Other orchards have taken their places, and the 
town now produces of grafted fruit in an average year, 
more than double enough for the use of the inJiabitants. 
On account of the elevated situation, grapes and peaches 
do not thrive. Pears do rather better. Blackberries 
grow wild in abundance. Raspberries and wild straw- 
berries are less plenty. 



CHAPTER II. 

Early Civil History. — "Hatfield Equivalent." — Grants. — First Settlers.— 
First Town Meeting. — Subsequent Meetings.— List of Selectmen.— Town 
Clerks. — Eepre.sentatives in General Court. 

Plantation No. 5, whicli included both Cunimington 
and Plainfield, was sold at public vendue, June 2, 1763, 
at the "Royal Exchange Tavern in King St.," Boston, 
to John Cummings, for 1800 pounds, he paying twenty 
pounds down and giving a bond for the remainder. At 
a division of lots, Dec. 29, 1762, the names of twenty-seven 
others are recorded as having become proprietors. March 
16, 1785, the north part of Cummington was set off and 
incorporated as the District of Plainfield. It appears that 
the state for some public service performed had given a 
certain tract of land to the town of Hatfield. This land 
was afterwards incorporated into the area of other towns, 
and a section north and west was given to Hatfield in its 
stead. This latter was known as ' ' Hatfield Equivalent. " 
Plantation No. 5, when surveyed, was found to include a 
large part of this " Equivalent." What the exact limits 
of this tract were I am unable to ascertain. It was prob- 
ably as large as an ordinary township, and extended north 
into the east part of Hawley, lieyond the southwest corner 
of Buckland and possibly to Charlemont. In shai)e it 
was irregular, the south part extending further west than 
the north part. Frequent mention is made of the tract in 
the early town records and deeds. It is certain that it ex- 

(16) 



HATFIELD EQUIVALENT. 17 

tended soutli within half a mile at least of Ciunniin,i;toii 
line. The farm of John Hanilen, now occni)ie(l hy E. A. 
Atkins, the farm of Marshall Stetson, and also that of 
Ebenezer Nash, lying east of Rnssell Tirrcdl's. are de- 
scribed in the several deeds as consisting- of certain lots< 
designated by number, of Hatfield Eciuivalent. Simon 
Burroughs, who lived just north of J. W. Sears, is nuMi- 
tioned as being a resident of Hatfield Eciuivalent. "At 
a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the District of 
Plainfield, at Samuel Streetor's l)arn, on the twenty Ninth 
Day of July, A. D. 17S8, Voted that they would take no 
Notice of the Re(iuest of No. 7 (Hawley) which was as Fol- 
lows, Viz. : first tliat they had Enominated Nine men, and 
we Should choose one out of Sd Number, and the E(iuiv- 
alent one and No. 7 the third, to Settle the dispute respect- 
ing the Ec^uivalent l)eing annexed to Plainfield, if not 
they would leave it to the Selectmen of three Towns 
which they Enominated, and if we would not comply with 
either of the proposals they would have us make them 
some," &c. March IC, 17S!). "Voted that Cai)t. John 
Cunningham, Jeremiah Robinson and Simon Burroughs 
[serve] as a Committee to meet the Committees from No. 
7, Charlemont and Hatfield Ecpiivalent, in order to Choose 
an Inditt'erant Committee to Determine the Dispute that 
has so long Subsisted between No. 7, Plainfield, and Hat- 
field Equivalent." Several similar votes were passed dur- 
ing the next year or two, and the matter appears to 
have been settled before 1794, for the record of a meeting 
held April 7, 17!t4, states that " made choice of Peter B. 
Beals, as a Committee to Examine into the matter concern- 
ing the Vacancyes laid out in what was formally called 
Hatfield Equivalent," &c. March 12, 1702, "Voted to 
2 



1.S HISTORY OP PLAINPIELD. 

accept of a Tract of Land lying east of Plainfield and 
west of Aslifield, witli the Inhabitants living thereon." 
The only inhabitants living on this tract, so far as known, 
were Joseph Clark and Jonathan Beals, and their fami- 
lies. This tract was a gore not previously inclnded in the 
limits of any town, and was bounded as follows: Begin- 
ning at a point on the present Aslifield line nearly due 
east from Wm. Jones's, thence following said line to the 
southwest corner of Ashfield, thence west 17° south 1!»5 
rods on the present Cummington line, thence a little east 
of north in a direct line to the place of beginning. This 
last described line crossed the road which leads by Geo. E. 
Harris's, passing very near where his house now stands. 
Josei)h Clark, before named, lived in a house which stood 
a few rods east of Harris's. Jonathan Beals, it is sup- 
posed, lived about one-fourth of a mile south, on an old 
road, now discontinued. June 21, 1803, one mile of the 
south side of Hawley was set off to the District of Plain- 
field, since which time the town lines have remained un- 
altered. May 15, 180G, it was " voted unanimously to 
petition the General Court to set off the District of 
Plainfield from Cummington and incorporate it into a 
town." This was accordingly done June 15, 1807. So far 
as appears, districts had all the privileges of towns, ex- 
cept that they had no representative in General Court 
and were 'joined to some other town for the purpose of ob- 
taining such representation. ^ 

" THE GRANT." 

A tract in the northeast jjart of the town was early 
granted to Mr. Mayhew for services among the Indians. 



EARLY SETTLERS. l9 

The north })firt of tliis i>;rant was soon after transferred 
to one Wain Wright, wliose name it siibseqnently bore. 
TIh' boundaries of Wainwriglit's grant are believed to l)e 
as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner, the same 
being the northeast corner of the Ebenezer Nash farm, 
thence rnnning easterly on the south line of tJie farm now 
owned by A. L. Richmond, and continuing on the sanu^ 
range to Ashtield line; this was the nortluM-n boundary. 
The western l)oundary ran from the tirst named corner 
southerly on the east line of the Ebenezer Nash farm, Ste- 
phen Parsons's and H. S. Packard's lands to the northeast 
corner of the Rufus P. Bates lot, now owned by Homer 
Cook. The south line ran easterly from this corner to 
Ashfield line, following the range of the north line of the 
Bates lot. This grant contained about 1000 acres. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Most of the early settlers came from Al>ington, Bridge- 
water and Weymouth, Mass. Tlie first settler who resided 
within the present limits of the town was a Scotchman 
named Mclntire, who came here with his family in 1770, 
and located near where Mrs. Mary A. Dunning now lives. 
in the north i)art of the town. The following persons, 
and doubtless a number of others, had settled here before 
1780, viz. : Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Andrew^ Cook, Isaac Joy, 
Caleb White, Lieut. Ebenezer Colson, Lieut. Samuel 
Noyes, Ebenezer Bisbee, Abram Beals, John Streeter, 
Jonathan Monroe, and Noah Packard. The first birth 
recorded is that of Hannah Cook, Oct. (;, 1774, daughter 
of Andrew Cook. 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELl). 



FIRST TOWN MEETING. 



The following is a copy of the warrant calling tliu first 

town meeting, and also of the record of the proceedings 

at that meeting : 

Hampshire, ss. To Isaac Joy of Plainfield, in the 
County of Hampshire, aforesaid, yeoman, Greeting: 
Pursuant to an act of the Commonwealth for erecting 
the Northerly part of Cnmmington, in the County of 
Hampshire, into a District by the Name of Plainfield, 
and investing the Inhabitants of the said District with 
all the Privileges and Immunities that other Towns or 
Districts within this Commonwealth Do Enjoy; Also Im- 
powering Nalium Eager, Esqr. to Issue his Warrant 
Directed to Some Principle Inhabitant of sd District, 
Requiring him to call a meeting of said Inhabitants in 
order to Choose Town Officers, as by Law Towns or Dis- 
tricts are Impowered to Choose in the month of Mareh 
Annually; These are therefore in the Name of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts to Require you the sd Isaac 
Joy to Notify and Warn the Inhabitants of the sd District 
of Plainfield, that they assemble themselves together at 
the Dwelling-house of Mr. Simon Burroughs, in said Plain- 
field, on Monday, the 25th Day of July, Instant, at One 
of the Clock in the afternoon, then and there to Choose 
all such Officers as Towns within this Commonwealth are 
Impowered to Choose in the month of March Annually. 
Hereof you nor they may not fail. Given under my Hand 
and Seal at Worthington, this 14th Day of July. A. D. 
1785. NAHUM EAGER. Justice Peace. 

" At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the District of 
Plainfield, at the dwelling-house of Mr. Simon Burroughs, 
in said district, on Monday, the 2oth day of Jvily, A. D., 
1785. Lieut. Ebenezer Colson was chosen Moderator; Lieut. 
Joshua Shaw, District Clerk; Lieut. Ebenezer Colson, 
Lieut. John Packard and Lieut. John Cunningham, 
Selectmen; Lieut. Joshua Shaw, District Treasurer; Simon 
Burroughs, Constable; Isaac Joy and Lieut. John Pack- 
ard, Tythingmen; Josiali Torrey, Solomon Nash, Nathan 
Fay, William Daniels, Jacob Clark, Abijah Pool, Jona- 



FIRST TOWN MEETING. 21 

than Miinroe. David Wliite and Daniel Streetor. Survey- 
ors of Higliways; Lieut. Sanuiel Noyes. Surveyor of Lum- 
ber; Daniel Streetor. Sealer of Leather; John Streetor. 
Fence Viewer; Asa Joy and Azariah Beals. Hogreeves; 
David White. Field Driver; John Streetor, Deer-rieflf; the 
meeting dissolved. '* Simon Burroughs, at whose house this 
meeting was held, lived about twelve rods north of J. W. 
Sears's house (formerly occupied by Newell Dyer.) The 
site of the Burroughs house can still be distinctly traced. 
It was torn down oiu* night by sonu' citi/ens to ])revent its 
occupancy by a negro family who were about to move 
into it. The next eight meetings were held " at the dwel- 
ling-house of Mr. Jonathan Munroe," whose house stood 
where that of the late Lewis Shaw now stci.nds; then at 
" Capt. John Cunninghanrs new barn." This was on what 
is now known as the " Strong place." about a mile north 
of the village. During the summer and winter of 17SS, 
town meetings, which were frequent in those days, were 
held at Samuel Streetor's barn. Then a meeting '" to 
choose one Governor, one Lt. G(»vernor, and four Sena- 
tors," was held April (i, 17S!), in "Capt. C'Unningham's 
new barn;" again. May 11. 17Si>, a- meeting " to vote for a 
Representative for the Great and General Court" (with 
Cummington) was held at Lieut. David White's. By 
this time the voters had evidently had enough of '" barn " 
meetings, and until August, 179'^, meetings were held "at 
the dwelling-house of Mr. Samuel Streetor." This house 
stood where S. H. Sears's house now stands, just north of 
the meeting-house, or ])ossibly it might have been the 
present structure, whi(di was erected about that time. 
Aug. 20, 17!)2, the tir.st meeting-house was sufficiently 
copipleted for a town-meeting to be held in it. and it was 



22 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

ever afterwards used for sucli meetings, as well as for 
service on the Sabbath. Only those persons having a free- 
hold estate of the annual income of three pounds, or any 
other estate to the value of sixty pounds, were allowed to 
vote for State officers. 

LIST OF SELECTMEN. 

The following is a list of Selectmen from 1785 to the 
])resent time (1S!)1,) with the year of their first election, 
and number of years service: 



Ebenezer Colson. 
John Packard. 
John Cunningham, 
Caleb White, 
David White, 
Isaac Joy, 
Ebenezer Bisbee, 
James Porter, 
James Richards, 
Jeremiah Robinson, 
Joseph Reals, 
Thomas Shaw, 
James Hay ward, 
Ebenezer Colson, Jr. 
John Hamlen, 
Peter B. Reals, 
Amos Crittenden, 
Elijah Warner, 
Nehemiah Joy, 
Jacob Joy, 
Robert Reals, 



t Elected. 


Years 


1 of Service. 


1785 




3 
3 


a 




11 


1780 




4 


i i 




1 


1788 




2 


ii 




15 


a 




1 


1790 




21 


1791 




1 


1795 




1 


1798 




3 
2 


179!» 




7 


1800 




19 


1803 




1 


1804 




1 


ii 




18 


1808 




2 


1814 




1 


1819 




4 



LIST OF SELECTMEN. 23 





First Elected. 


Years of Service. 


Irani Packard. 


1821 


4 


Jolin Packard, Jr.. 


1822 


5 


Joliii Mack. 


1824 


3 


Justus Warner. 


1825 


2 


Samuel Shaw, 


1826 


8 


Erastus Bates, 


1828 


3 


Jacob Pratt, 


1831 


3 


Isaac K. Lincoln. 


1832 


2 


John Carr, 


1833 


:^> 


Samuel White, 


1834 


4 


Ste])hen Gloyd, 


1835 


12 


William Robinson, 


183<; 


4 


Jerijah Barber, 


183? 


7 


Albert Dyer, 


1840 


4 


Wm. N. Ford, 


1842 


4 


Elias Giddings, 


1 843 


1 


Stephen Hay ward. 


1845 


(i 


Freeman Hamlen, 


184(; 


(; 


Wm. A. Hawley, 


1848 


2 


Levi N. Campbell, 


1849 




AVanton C. Gilbert, 


1854 


1 


Lewis Shaw, 


'' 


18 


Samuel W. Lincoln, 


1855 


8 


Samuel Dyer, 


•> 


1 


Joseph Sears, 


1857 


(i 


Fordyce Whitmarsh, 


1858 


2 


Merritt Torrey, 


18()() 


7 


Merritt Jones, 


1803 


I 


Jacob W. Pratt, 


18(J7 


5 


Homer Cook, 


1871 


11 


Stephen Hay ward, Jr., 


] 872 


2 



24 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 





First Elected. 


Years of Service. 


Setli W. Clark. 


1873 


6 


James A. Nasli, 


1874 


9 


James A. Wiiislow, 


1876 


2 


Edwin A. Atkins, 


1878 


2 


Levi W. Gloycl. 


1883 


5 


Josepli W. Sears, 


1887 


1 


Albert N. Gurney, 


1888 


3 


Harold S. Packard, 


a 


2 


Daniel H. Gould, 


1890 


1 



Tbe present board elected March 2, 1891, are — Albert N. 
Gurney, Daniel H. Gould, Joseph W. Sears. Tlie Select- 
men liave always served as Assessors and Overseers of tlie 
Poor. 

LIST OF TOWN CLERKS. 

The following is a list of Town Clerks since 1785, with 
the year of their first election and number of years ser- 
vice. Town Clerks have, without exception, been chosen 
and served as Town Treasurer: 





First Elected. 


Years of Service. 


Joshua Shaw, 


1785 


10 


John Cunningham, 


1795 


2 


James Richards, 


1797 


4 


Thomas Shaw, 


1801 


14 


John Mack. 


1815 


3 


Cyrus Joy, 


1818 


3 


Robert Beals, 


1821 


7 


Justus Warner, 


1828 


1 


Leavitt Hallock, 


1829 


2 


Erastus Bates, 


1831 


1 



REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT. 



^Irst Elected. 


Yean 


3 of Service. 


is;52 




1 


1833 




12 


1841 




3 


1848 




5 


185;] 




33 


1870 




15 



John Mack. Jr., 
Jason Ricliai'dw, 
Jacob Clark, 
Levi Clark. 
Freeman Hanilen, 
Cliarles N. Dyer. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN (JENERAL COURT. 

Since the incorjxjration of Plainfield as a town in 1808, 
the following ])ersons have had the honor of rei)resenting 

the town in the Legislatnre. When no dates are given 
the town waiS not represented: 

1808-*J-10, John Cnnninghani. 

1811-13, James Richards. 

1813-14-15. John Hamlen. 

1810, James Richards. 

1810, Cyrus Joy. 

1821, Elijah Warner. 

1823-20, John Hamlen. 

1827, Elij^ah Warner. 

1828-2U-30, John Mack. 

1831-2-3-4, Erastns Bates. 

1835-36, Elijah Clark. 

1837, John Carr. 

183!)-40, ^ Stephen Gloyd. 

1841-42, Jason Richards. 

1844-40, Jerijah Barber. 

1849, Leavitt Hallock. 

1850-51. Freeman Hamlen. 

1852-5:J, Wanton C. Gilbert. 

1854, Levi N. Campbell. 



26 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD. 

Mr. Campbell was the last elected under the old system. 
The present ' district system went into o])eration in 1857, 
and the following named were elected from Plainiield to 
serve in the years named: 

1860, Samuel W. Lincoln. 

1864:, Levi N. Campbell. 

1871, Stephen Hay ward. Jr. 

1877, Merritt Torrey. 

1884, James A. Winslow. 

1891, Edwin A. Atkins. 

The district at first comi)rised the towns of Cumming- 
ton, Goshen, Middlefield, Plainfieid and Worthington. 
In 1866 Chesterfield was added, in 1876 Huntington, and 
in 1886 Westhampton. 



CHAPTER III. 

Church History.— Early Ministers.— Organization of First Church.— List of 
Original Members.— First Meeting-House.— Price of Materials. — Plan of 
Interior.— Dedication.— Belfry and Bell.— Sundry Items.— Call and Set- 
tlement OF Rev. Moses Hallock. — Installation. — Entertainment. 

Previous to the incorporation of Plaiiifield as a district, 
the inhabitants attended church at Cummington, and 
formed part of the ministerial charge of the Rev. James 
Briggs. One of tlie first acts of the settlers after heing set 
off from Cummington, was to take measures to j)rovide 
stated preaching. Aug. 11. 1785, "Voted to raise 14 
pound to hire preaching the present year," also, "Voted 
that Isaac Joy, Lieut. John Packard and Lieut. John 
Cunningham be a committee to liire a Gospel Minister to 
preach with us." Sept. 5, 17So, "Voted that the west 
side the brook inhabitants should have their proportion- 
able part of the preaching on that side said brook," July 
24, 17<S(j, " Voted to agree with Mr. James Thomi)Son to 
preach with us four Sabbaths on probation." May 14, 
1787, "Voted unanimously to give Mr. James Thompson 
a call to settle in the work of the ministry among us." 
This for some reason was not accepted. It seems that Mr. 
Thompson was not the first who i)reaclied here, for March 
12, 1787: "Voted to allow Andrew Cook's account for 
boarding Mr. Hatch while he was preaching with us, l!>s, 
and what he paid Mr. Hatch for preaching, (i pounds." 

(27) 



2S HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH. 

Plainfield. Aug. 31, 17S(i. At the desire of a ninnber of 
the inhabitants of Plainfield, a district of Cuniniington. 
convened the Rev. Timothy Allen, James Briggs and 
Elisha Fish, to lead them in forming into a church state. 
The Rev. Timothy Allen was chosen Moderator, and 
Elisha Fish, Scribe. Mr. James Thompson, preacher of 
the gospel, was invited to sit and assist in this business. 
Accordingly the aforesaid inhabitants of Plainfield pre- 
sented themselves and exhibited such satisfactory evi- 
dence by letters from the churches to which they belong- 
ed, and by answering to questions propounded to them, of 
tlie propriety of proceeding to incorporate them into a 
church state, that the Rev'd gentlemen aforesaid thought 
fit, and accordingly did incorporate said persons into a 
visiV)le church of Christ. 

Timothy Ali.en, Moderator. 
Attest, 

Elisha Fish. Scrihe. 

This is a true copy of the proceedings of the council who 
formed the persons aforesaid into a visible church of Christ 
in Plainfield. 
Attest, 

Moses Hallock, now pastor of said church. 

The following is a list of the original members: 
Andrew Ford, Martha Nash, 

Sarah Ford, Elijah Ford, 

John Packard, Solomon Ford, 

Hannah Packard, Amy White, 

Andrew Ford, Jr.. Martha Town, 

Sarah Ford, Martha Robinson, 

Solomon Nash, Molly Packard. 

This church celeln-ated the lOOth anniversary of its in- 
corporation, Aug. 31, 1<S8(J. An address of welcome was 
given by the acting i)astor. Rev. F. G. Webster, and Rev. 
Solomon Clark, a former pastor, delivered a most interest- 
ing discourse. Homan Hallock, son of Rev. Moses, Rev. 
LeavittH. Hallock of Portland. Me., Rev. Wm. Hallock 



FIRST MEETIN(4 HOUSE. 



29 



of Now Jersey, find Cliarles Hallock, grandson of the 
same, were present a,]i(l made sliort addresses, and in otlu-r 
ways added greatly to the interest of tlie occasion. Tlic 
exercises occupied nearly the whole day, many former 
residents being present and taking i)a-rt in the exercises. 
The church now has 7S resident memhers. and \'2 non- 
resident. 





Tjff,' 



FIRST MEETING HOUSE — LOOKING NORTHWEST. 

Aug. Ki, 17S7, a committee was appointed ;' to measure 
and find the center of Plaintield, and likewise to agree 
u])on a place which they shall think most proper for erect- 
ing a meeting-house upon." May 'l'-\. 17!'l, '' Voted that 
the spot of ground west of the road leading from Samuel 
Streetor's to Robinson's corn-mill, and south of the road 
leading from Samuel Streetor's to his saw-mill, and joining 
upon said roads, be the spot of ground to build a meeting- 
house upon; 07 yeas and 4 nays." Oct. :i7, 17!'l, it was 



80 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD. 

voted to build the meeting--house on the spot fixed ui)()n, 
and that the dimensions shoukl he 55ix4-ii. Nov. .'5, 
"Voted that Caleb White. Capt. John Cnnniui^hani, Capt. 
James Richards, Andrew Cook, and John Hamlen be a 
committee to receive notes of those persons who purchase 
Pews, likewise that they procure material and carry on 
the l)uilding said meeting-house in such a manner as shall 
be most advantageous to the district." The following 
prices were established for materials, delivered on the spot: 
Good Hemlock boards, £l-(is. per M. 

Spruce " l-<i 

*' Clapboards, l-d 

Ash Slitwork, 3-4, 1-10 

" Pine boards, inch thick, 3-0 
Nails were estimated by count instead of by the lb. lOd 
nails, 9s. per M. ; 8d nails, 6s. 8d. per M. ; 4d nails, 3s. per 
M. Voted that the joints in the roof before shingling be 
covered with birch bark. April 23, 1792, " Voted that the 
owners of pews in the meeting-house provide rum to raise 
said building." The meeting-house was raised soon after, 
but owing to the limited resources of the district it was 
not completed until 1797, five years afterwards. It was 
dedicated June 15, 1797. Two sermons were preached on 
the occasion, one by Rev. Aaron Bascom of Chester, and 
the other by Rev. John Leland of Partridgefield, (now 
Peru.) The meeting-house contained 44 pews below and 
19 in the gallery, ranged on the outside against the wall. 
The gallery was on three sides, the singers' seats being in 
front of the gallery pews. Two were afterwards added 
below and two above. The plan of the interior was copied 
from the town records. The original was the work of 
Joshua Shaw and James Richards. The figures in each 



\ 









uo»<xisoj 


























-i 
<> 

.3 






7" ? 










-1 






















^ 13 




ex. s 


'^ r. 





























t 

-y 










































o 






s 

"I 








^ 

>- 
^ 






















fcKf 


Do^y 






Go ^ 



32 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELi). 

pew indicate the number of dollars originally ])aid for it. 
Above the high pulpit was hung the old-fashioned sound- 
ing board, considered an indispensable feature in those 
days. March 7, 1796, " Voted that the district provide 
three wands for the tytliingmen." A belfry with a steeple 
was erected in 1800, a bell being procured at the same 
time. It was cast at New Haven, Ct., by Fenton & Coch- 
rane, and weighs (ioO lbs. It is the same bell now in use. 
Its key was D, but is now nearly D flat, the pitch of in- 
struments having been raised nearly half a tone since the 
date of its manufacture. There was no means of heating 
the meeting-house until 1822, when two stoves were pro- 
cured and placed near the pulpit, not however without 
considerable opposition. Before this time at the noon in- 
termission during cold weather the people visited Samuel 
Streetor's and one or two other liouses neai" by to eat the 
lunch they had brought with them, and absorb heat 
enough if possible to last them through the long sermon 
in the afternoon. Most of the elderly ladies carried " foot 
stoves," in which they placed a dish of glowing coals 
raked out of "Uncle Sam's " fire place, and carried with 
them back to meeting. The men meanwhile had taken a 
little good old rum internally to prevent the cold from 
piercing their vitals. It was customary for the congrega- 
tion to stand during the ' ' long prayer. " The seats in the 
pews were hinged and movable. When the occupants of 
a pew arose, these seats, which ran quite around the pew 
except the doorway, were lifted, in order to give them 
more standing room. When the " Amen " was pronounc- 
ed these seats all came down into place with a bang and 
clatter which would be astonishing to the present genera- 
tion. In March, 1791, the church and district voted to 



INSTALLATION — ENTERTAINMENT. 33 

give Rev. Moses Hallock a call to settle with them in the 
work of the gospel ministry. "' A^oted that the following 
offers should he made to Mr. Hallock for his settlement 
and maintenance, viz: Ninety pounds for his settlement 
and forty-five ponnds a year for the first two years, then 
to increase five ])()nnds a year until it amounts to sixty 
pounds, there to remain. Mr. Hallock declined the call 
at this time on account of ill health. March 8, 1702, this 
call was renewed with the same offers as before, '' his set- 
tlement and salary to l)e ])aid, one quarter in cash, and 
three quarters in farm produce at cash prices." The fol- 
lowing are the prices named for produce: 

Rye at 3s. 4d. per bush. Indian Corn at 2s. 8d. per bush. 

Grown, grass-fed beef, at 20s. per hundred. 

0-score pork at 3^d. per lb. 

Good, well dressed flax, at 7d. per lb. 

This call being accepted, he was ordained and installed 
July 11, 1702. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel 
Whitman of Goshen, the text being from Ezekiel 44-23: 
" And they shall teach my people the difference l^etween 
the holy and the ])rofane, and cause them to discern be- 
tween the unclean and the clean." June 14, 1702, "'■ Voted 
that an invitation be given to Ministers of the Gospel, 
Candidates for the Ministry, Students of Colleges, togeth- 
er with the Parents, Brethren and Sisters of Mr. Moses 
Hallock, and such others as he shall see fit to invite, to an 
Entertainment with the Council, at such place as shall 
hereafter be api)ointed. Voted that Capt. John Cunning- 
ham make the above Entertainment, in a decent and hand- 
some manner, and lay his account before the district for 
allowance." Aug. 20, "■ Voted to allow Capt. John Cun- 
ningham ten shillings and three pence for Entertaining 

the Council at the Ordination of Mr. Moses Hallock." 
3 



CHAPTER IV. 

Sketch of Rev. Moses Hallock.— His School.— Anecdotes.— Colleague Callb!!). 
— liEV. Dana Goodsell. — "Stop that Preparation."— His Successor.s.— Dea- 
cons.— Present Meeting-House. — Daniels Fund. — Organization of First Par- 
ish. — Baptist Society. — Advent Chapel. 

Rev. Moses Hallock was born on Long Island, Feb. Ki, 
1700. Before devoting liiniself to study, lie served some 
time in tlio Revolutionary army. Graduated at Yale in 
1788. His divinity studies were pursued under the in- 
struction of Rev. Samuel Whitman of Goshen, Mass., 
where his parents resided. The house which he built and 
in which he lived and died, is now occupied by James 
Spearman. Except as it has gradually fallen into decay, 
it remains in nearly the same form in which he left it. 
It is hoped that in the near future it may be repaired and 
preserved, on account of the many hallowed associations 
which cluster around it. His labors during the long pe- 
riod of his ministry were acceptable and useful in a re- 
markable degree and w5re greatly blessed. He was re- 
spected and beloved by all. Mr. Hallock for thirty years 
taught a private school, in which he fitted young men for 
college, they boarding in his house. More than 300 
availed themselves of the privileges of this school. Among 
them were Wm. Cullen Bryant, the poet, James Richards, 
Jonas King, Pliny Fisk, Levi Parsons and William Rich- 
ards, foreign missionaries, Dr. Samuel Shaw and Prof. 
James Havward. At that time families were more eco- 

(:u) 



Sketch of rev. moses hallock. 36 

nomical and lived on niiich coarser and plainer food than 
now. Pies, cakes and sweetmeats as every day articles 
of food were not nsed. One gentleman who l>rouglit his 
son to Mr. Hallock to Iw schooled, told him that at home 
the boy had been in the habit of having gingerbread, and 
wished that it might be fnrnished him at Mr. Hallock's. 
" Yes," said Mr. Hallock, "'he shall have gingerln'ead." 
Soon after he said to Mrs. Hallock, in his dry way, 
" When yon make your next batch of brown bread will 
you please put some ginger in it/' In illustration of his 
simple honesty it is related, that owning a farm, he had 
at one time a pair of young oxen which he wished to sell. 
One of his neighbors learning the fact, called, and after 
looking the cattle over said. " I will give you sixty dol- 
lars for them." Said Mr. Hallock, " They are not worth 
so much; you shall have them for fiff ij dollav^." In the 
spring of 182!)^ after having discharged the duties of his 
office with uncommon fidelity for nearly thirty-seven 
years, he made the following communication to his be- 
loved people: 

" To the Inhalnfanf.s of the Town of Pkiinfield:—My 
Brethren and Friends: The time approaches when I shall 
no longer be your minister. This awfully responsible, 
though pleasant work, must soon be committed to the 
hands of some other man, I Imve entered my seventieth 
year 'and know not the day of my death.' When a pa- 
rent is about to die he endeavors to set his house in order, 
that it may be well with his family after his decease. 
With equal ardor I desire that you as a religious commu- 
nity, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ when my 
lips shall be unable to teach knowledge. Before I die, I 
wish to see my pulpit occupied by such a minister; and 
may he be far more useful to old and young than his pre- 
decessor, and as mucdi respected. As soon as you are ready 
to settle another minister, which will probably be in a year 
or two, I will consent, the church and congregation re- 
questing it, that the ordaining council should dismiss me 



3G HISTORY OP PLAINFiELb, 

on the (lay of the ordination. It is not uncommon in cases 
like this, that the town make some provision for the sup- 
port of the worn out pastor. If you should please by legal 
vote, to commit to my disposal as my own property, the 
pew which my family occupy, or some other as valuable, 
and also to exempt me and the little property I may pos- 
sess from all kinds of taxation durino- my life, it will be 
thankfully accepted." (Signed) MOSES HALLOCK. 

Rev. David Kimball was installed colleague pastor with 
Hev. Mr. Hallock, March 2, 1831. Mr. Hallock died at his 
home in Plainfield, July 17, 1(S37, aged 77 years. He was 
interred in the cemetery north of the church. His tomb- 
stone bears the following inscription: 

The Reverend Moses Hallock. 
Born at Brookhaven, L. I., Feb. 16, 1760. 
Reaied by Godly parents, Goshen, Mass. 
Giaduated at Yale College, 178S. 
Ordained and installed first pastor of the 
Church in Plainfleld, July 11, 1792. 
Ministered to a confiding and united people 

45 years. 
Died July 17, 1837, aged 77 years. 
At 70 he requested a colleague, having 
Received to the churoh 358 members. 
Instructed 304 pupils— 50 became ministers, 

7 missionaries. 
A man of patriarchal simplicity, integrity, 
Sincerity, kindness. Without an enemy. 
He loved, studied, preached, exemplified the 
Bible, and gloried in the Cross. 

Rev. David Kimball was dismissed and his successor, 
Rev. Dana Goodsell, installed Sept. 27, 1837. Mr. Good- 
sell was inclined to be overbearing in his manner, and was 
not very popular. The following story is related. Some 
little time previous to his settlement, violins and one or 
two bass-viols had been introduced into the meeting-house 
gallery to assist the choir. It was necessary of course that 
these instruments should harmonize, and the players were 
in the habit of gathering in the gallery a short time pre- 



HIS SUCCESSORS. 37 

vioiis to tlie oponiiig- of service, and tuning their various 
instruments. Mr. Goodsell had not much knowledge of, 
and no ear for music. One Sabbath morning wlien they 
were tuning tlieir instruments, as usual, Mr. Goodsell rose 
in the pulpit and raising his voice said, '' I insist on that 
prepinrifioii 1)eing stopped." At noon when he started to- 
ward home for his dinner, David Shaw, one of the violin 
players, fell in a few rods l)ehind him with his violin in 
hand, and following him tlirougli the street to his liouse, 
twanged out the lively notes of a march. Mr. Goodsell 
was dismissed Sept. 2o, ls;5'.». The next settled pastor was 
Rev. Wm. A. Hawley, wIk^ was installed July, 'il, 1841, 
and dismissed Oct. 5, 1847. He was immediately succeed- 
ed by Rev. H. J. Gay lord, wIk^ served four years and was 
dismissed Oct. <!, 1851. Rev. D. B. Bradford was installed 
June 10, 1852, and dismissed May 17, 1^54. From this 
time until January, 1858. the church had no permanent 
pastor. At this time the Rev. Solomon Clark c(3mmenced 
his laliors and continued acting pastor until April. ISSO, 
a period of over 28 years. His ministry was greatly 
blessed, he having received into the church during his 
pastorate here upwards of 150 members. Mr. Clark was 
never formally settled, but was hired frcjni year to year. 
The church having had some tr(ju])le with previous pastors 
thought it a better policy not to settle another. Frcnn 
April, 1880, to April, 188S, the ])ulpit was supplied Ijy 
Rev. F. G. Webster, who alscj preached at the same time 
at Cummington, where he resided. From May, 1888, to 
March, 1889, Rev. Geo. E. Spaulding supplied. At the 
latter date he was obliged to resign on account of ill health. 
In June, 188!), Rev. John A. Woodhull, by invitation, 
assumed the duties of acting ])astor, and has continued in 



38 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 




DEACONS — PRESENT MEETING HOUSE. 30 

that ])osition until the i)i'esent time, to the general satisfac- 
tion of (•liui'ch and parish. He has cjuite recently received 
and ticcepted a, call to l)ecome our settled pastor. 

DEACONS. 

The first deacons chosen were J(jhn Packai'd and James 
Richards, Nov. 15. 17!)2. Joseph Beals, April 20, ISo;}. 
He was the " Mountain Miller," the subject of a tract writ- 
ten l)y Rev. Wni. A. Hallock, which has had a world- 
wide circulation. Robert Beals, Sept. 2."), IS 13; Erastus 
Bates. June 27, 182.S; John Carr, Sept. O, 1S34; Wm. N. 
Ford, Nov. 11, IS-tl; Freeman Hamlen, Aug. 30, 1844; Je- 
rijah Barber, May 5, 1855; Wm. A. Bates, Nov. 10, 1807; 
Seth W. Clark and James A. Winslow, March 3, 1877. 
The last two named still hold the office. 

PRESENT MEETING-HOUSE. 

The first meeting-house was torn down and the present 
structure erected in 1840. The cost of the biiilding was 
$2,450. It is believed that this was a great mistake, and 
that it would have been much less expensive to have re- 
modeled the old meeting-house. The old frame was much 
heavier and stronger, and of more permanent character 
than that of the present building. This plan was favored 
by some at the time, but the majority favored anew build- 
ing, and using the language of a local poetic genius: 

"So down they tare 
The house of prayer." 

Early in 1800, the large pulpit was remcjved from the 
present edifice, and a handsome modern desk, the gift (jf 
Mrs. Woodhidl, wife of the pastor, was placed <,)n the plat- 



40 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

form. A low gallery for the choir was constructed at the 
rear of the platform where the old })iilpit formerly stood. 
The present building originally had a very tall spire, wliich 
was blown off by a hard wind in the fall of 185!), and was 
replaced by one much lower. 

DANIELS FUND. 

In February. 181)0, the parish was the recipient of over 
$loOO as a permanent fund, the income to be used to assist 
in sustaining preaching. The donor was Mr. Horace 
Daniels of Ashfield, a former resident. 

ORGANIZATION OF FIRST PARISH. 

Previous to 1838, no parish organization existed, all pru- 
dential matters being attended to by the town in their 
corporate capacity, the minister's salary and incidental 
expenses being voted in town meeting and assessed like 
other town charges. In that year the ' ' First Parish and 
Religious Society " was organized and assumed these 
duties. It now numbers thirty members. The last origi- 
nal member deceased January 1, 1891, Mr. Roswell 
Davison. A Sunday School was first established here in 
1819. The school is still in a flourishing condition, num- 
bering about 100 members. 

BAPTIST SOCIETY. 

A Baptist Society was formed in the east x>art of the 
town, Feb. 35, 1833, the first meeting being called by Asa 
Thayer, under a warrant from Nehemiah Richards, Esq. , 
of Cummington. The church was organized June 18, 
1833, and consisted of 22 members. Their services were 



ADVENT CHAPEL. 41 

hold at iir.st in tliu Ijrick scliool-liouse, but later a cliaptd 
was erected at the fork of the roads east of A. B. Cole's. 
Among those who have jji-eached for the society were El- 
ders McCullock, Eg'gleston, Kingsley, Newton, Pease, A. 
H. Sweet, and James Clark. Their first deacons were 
Asa Thayer and Jeremiah Stockwell. Jacob Jones, Jr. 
was afterwards chosen. The society finally became so 
weakened by deaths and removals, that services were dis- 
continued and the organization was given uj). The chapel 
was torn down and remcjved about IfSTO. 

ADVENT CHAPEL. 

The Adventists erected a chapel in the west part of the 
town near the North Pond and Henry S. Barton's, aljout 
ISS-^, where occasional services are held. There is no or- 
ganized society. 



CHAPTER V. 

Schools. — First Location of Houses. — Number Increased. — Reduced in Number 
AND Re-located.— " Moving Committee."— Incidents op Removing. — District 
System. — List op School Committee.— Statistics. — Names of Present Pupils 
IN the Public Schools. 

Ill April, 1788, the district " Voted to raise thirty pounds 
to be laid out in schooling the ensuing year;" also " Voted 
that the Selectmen be a Committee to divide the District 
into proper divisions for schooling." April 5, 17!»0, "Voted 
to build school-houses in each district for schooling. The 
town at first was divided into three districts, North, South, 
and West side of the brook. One school-house stood just 
south of the Shaw grove about midway between the brick 
store and the cemetery. The site can still be traced. One 
stood midway between Wm. H. Dyer's house and the brook 
on the north side of the road. The third stood where the 
present one on West Hill stands. This number was grad- 
ually increased until in 18o7 the town had nine schools, 
besides one union school with Hawley. Their locations 
were as follows: The center house between the Town Hall 
and C. N. Dyer's store, neither being then in existence — 
one opposite J. O. Gloyd's— one at the corner east of David 
Packard's, on the north side — one a few rods west of Amos 
K. Griggs' — one at the corner near where Thaddeus Rood 
formerly lived — one on the West Cummington road, half 
a mile southwest of H. W. Beals' — one about midway be- 
tween the Roswell Davison place and Edwin T. Torrey's, 

(42) 



FIRST LOCATION OF HOUSES. 43 

on the west side — one near tlie intersection below Daniel 
Harris' in the extreme southwest part of the town — one 
where the Advent Chapel stands, near Henry S. Barton's. 
The union school-house was in Hawley, at the corner east 
of Mark E. Howes's. This number was sustained until 
1868, when the town voted to abolish the school districts, 
or they were abolished by statute, and a Committee was ap- 
pointed to reduce the number of schools and re-locate the 
school-houses. This reduction seemed necessary, as the 
numl)er of legal scholars was only about loo. The Com- 
mittee recommended five schools. The town finally voted 
six schools. The matter was only adjusted after much 
wrangling and numerous town meetings, and much ill 
feeling was engendered by the proposed changes. The 
following persons were chosen to superintend the removal 
and repair of the several school-houses, viz. : Joseph 
Sears, Francis W. Joy, Merritt Torrey, Russell Tirrell, 
Austin Cowing, and Homer Cook. This undertaking was 
an arduous one, but was successfully accomplished. The 
houses were placed on "runners" made of the trunks of 
large trees, and were drawn by oxen. These teams, to- 
gether with such help as was needed, were furnished by 
the citizens gratuitously. A few teams in one or two in- 
stances were procured from out of town, which were paid 
for. The house near J. O. Gloyd's was removed to a loca- 
tion a few rods north of where it now stands, on the oppo- 
site side of the road. This site proving too wet, after a 
few years the frame was removed to the present location 
and newly covered, making practically anew house. This 
stands on the site of the Major David Wliiton house, and 
is known as No, 2. The house west of A. K. Griggs' was 
removed to its present site, about 25 rods north of John F. 



44 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Cook's. During tlie niglit previous to the day set for its 
removal, the chains by which the oxen were to be attached 
to the buihiing, were stolen, and no trace of them was ever 
discovered. This was quite a serious loss as the chains 
were extra heavy ones made especially for the purpose. 
Others were procured from oxit of town within tw(j or three 
hours, and the building was removed to its new location 
before sundown of that day. This house is known as No. 
3. It being impracticable to remove the house near H. S. 
Barton's, it was used for school purposes until J8S0, when 
a new one to take its place, was built near Eugene Thatch- 
er's. This is known as No. 4. The house which stood 
southeast of Daniel Harris' was removed to its present 
location north of H. Clark Packard's. This is known as 
No. 5. No school lias been kept here for two or three 
years, the two or three scholars in this locality being pro- 
vided by the town with school privileges at West Cum- 
mington and Windsor. The *house which stood on the 
West Cumniington road, southwest of the Wm. Rol)inson 
place, was removed to the ancient site east of C. W. Pack- 
ard's, and is known as No. (>. Previous to the last named 
removal an attempt was made to remove the school-house 
which stood north of E. T. Torrey's to this location, it 
being much the better building. It was actually removed 
some 40 rods, but the number of teams being insufficient, 
it was decided to leave it until the next day. That night 
the building was iired and burned to the ground. All the 
houses, except No. 5, are provided with modern furniture, 
and are in good repair. Under the old system, each dis- 
trict was a corporation. School meetings were called in 
the same manner as town meetings. One person was 
chosen annually as Prudential Committee, with authority 



LIftT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. +5 

to contract with teachers, etc. Previous to ],S4() from tliree 
to six persons were chosen annually hy the town to serve 
with the minister as Examining School Committee. In 
that year it was A'oted that the Examining Committee con- 
sist of three persons, and that they be paid for their ser- 
vices. The following is a list of persons who have since 
held that offi.ce, the year first cliosen and nnmher of years 
service. 

LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 





First Chosen. 


Years of Seivioe. 


Jason Richards, 


1S40 


1 


Albert Dyer, 


a 


13 


Wni. N. Ford, 


a 


4 


Levi N, Campbell, 


1S41 


10 


Rev. Wm, A. Hawley, 


1SJ:2 


10 


Jason Tyrrell, 


1S43 


2 


S. S. Kingsley, 


1845 


1 


Wm. Bassett, 


" 





Samnel Dyer, 


1848 


1 


Samuel W. Lincoln, 


1S53 


10 


Jacol) W. Pratt, 


1 854 


.") 


Dr. Chas. Bowker, 


1850 


1 


Edwin A. Atkins, 


1857 


4 


Dr. John M. Eaton, 


1859 


2 


Francis K. Cottrell, 


1861 


5 


Seth W. Clark, 


1803 


13 


Stephen Hay ward, Jr., 


1805 


3 


Thaddeus Rood, 


1800 


4 


James A. Winslow, 


1807 


21 


J. Sebert Whitmarsh, 


1871 


3 


Charles N. Dyer, 


1872 


10 


E. Baxter Pratt, 


1874 


1 



46 ttlStORY OF* PLAINF^IELD. 





First Chosen. 


Years of Service. 


Lewis Shaw, 


1875 


o 


Dr. Daniel E. Thayer, 


1876 


2 


Frank A. Gurney, 


1879 


3 


Sarah E. Hewlett, 


1880 


1 


James W. Loud, 


a 


9 


Wm. C. Smith, 


1889 


1 



The present board consists of Miss Azul)ah Howes, 
James A. Winslow and Charles N. Dyer. 

One of the first, if not the first teacher employed, was 
Dea. James Richards, who taught a winter school in one 
part or another of the town for more than 30 years. As a 
rule, male teachers have been employed for winter and 
female for the summer and fall terms. Select schools 
have been occasionally taught during the fall months, the 
expense of which was met by tuition fees paid by the 
scholars. For some years the custom has been to have 
two terms, in the spring and fall, of three months each, 
in every school-house, No. 5 excepted, and a winter term 
in No. 1, which is attended by the larger pupils from all 
parts of the town. Since this arrangement, no select 
schools have been taught here. $784 were expended by 
the town the past year for schools, exclusive of school 
books and repairs. This was derived from the following 
sources: Raised by taxation, $450. Income of State School 
fund, $303.45. Dog fund refunded to the town, $40.53. 
The balance was used for repairs. The following is a list 
of pupils who have attended school in town from April, 
1890, to April, 1891. Whole number, 89. Between 5 and 
15, 75. Between 8 and 14, 45. Ages given were taken at 
beginning of school year. 



LIST OP PUPILS. 



47 



Arthur H. Atkins, 
Belle S. Barton, 
Alice L. Billings, 
Estella M. Cleveland. 
Bessie B. Denio, 
Grace E. Dyer, 
L. Genevieve Dyer, 
Clara A. Dunham, 
F. Hallie Holden, 
P. W. Hitchcock, Ha wley IS 
Robert M. Sears, 18 

Anna G. Sears, 11 

Alvah E. Stetson, 20 

Albert E. Stetson, 17 

Mary E. Shaw, 15 

Robert L. Streeter. 10 

Rosa M. Streeter, 14 



LIST OF 

School 

AGE. 

17 
17 
1() 
14 
11 
14 
10 
11 
12 



PUPILS. 

No. 1. 

Mary E. Win slow, 
Hermie S. Butler, 
Clara D. C. Butler, 
Richard D. Butler, 
Helen R. Dunham, 
C. Frederick Dyer. 
Anna M. King, 
Charles R. King, 
Bell Morse, 
Ensign Morse, Jr., 
Minnie B. Packard, 
Hattie G. Parker, 
Julia Smith, 
Florence Stetson, 
Harry J. Stetson, 
Hilda Swanson, 
Nina L. Vel)er, 



AGE. 

k; 

13 

9 
G 
5 
7 
5 
5 
5 
4 


10 
S 

13 
9 
8 

10 



School No. 2. 



Agnes M. Fenton, 
Helen B. Fenton, 
Lucy A. Gloyd, 
Joseph A. Gloyd, 
Mary A. Gloyd, 
Enos R. Hawks, 
Arthur J. Hawks, 
Alden C. Holden, 



AGE. 

11 
9 
14 
12 
10 
15 
12 
11 
Herbert H 



AGE. 

Herbert T. Kinney, 13 

Albert N. Lincoln, 10 

Fred Lincoln, 8 

Jane A, Loud, 15 

Mary E. Loud, 12 

Angus C. Loud, 10 

Bertie S. Longley, 11 

Edith G. Shaw, 10 
Willcutt, 11. 



48 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELb. 



Bertie L. Billings. 
Lucy E. Billings, 
Ezra P. Billings, 
Frank W. Dyer, 
Willie H. Dyer, 
Sadie A. Dyer, 
Carrie E. Gardner, 
Florence M. Gardner, 



School 


No 3. 


AGE. 


AGE. 


13 


Frank E. Green, 


11 


Clara C. Scott, (Hawlcy,) 8 


7 


Ralph L. Scott, (do.) 6 


13 


Fordyce A. Thayer, 16 


11 


Willis D. Thayer, 14 


8 


Clara L. Thayer, 8 


7 


Chas. A. Tirrell, 6 



Clarence W. Tirrell, 



AGE. 
11 
11 

8 



School No. Jf. 

AGE. 

Ellen A. Blanchard, 14 Lottie A. Ingrahm, 

Edna R. Blanchard. 8 Lillian C. Mason, 

George A. Blanchard, 14 Harold E. Mason, 
Charles E. Thatcher, 0. 

School No. 5. 

AGE. AGE. 

Robert Mason, 14 Theodore Meekins, 11 

Daughter of Thos. Mason — Schooled at Windsor. 

Schooled at W. Cumniington. 



School No. (k 

AGE. 



Blanche L. Cudworth. 7 

Adelbert N. Dyer, 13 

Mary E. Hammond, 12 

John H. Packard, 7 

Maggie A. Packard, G 

Joseph W. Packard, 5 



Susan G. Streeter, 
Allie M. Streeter, 
Walter E. Streeter, 
Willie Taylor, 
Mabel A. Torrey, 
G. Herbert Vincent, 



AGE. 



4 
11 

6 
5 



We note with pleasure, that in the last ten years, the 
number of pupils has increased from (10 to 89. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Town Hall.— Roads.— Early Modk.s of Travel.— Lost in the Woods. — Early 
Bridge Building. — Present System op Repairing Roads.— Road Commissio.s- 
ERS. — Names of Streets. — Post Offices.— Postmasters. — First Mail Supply. 
— Present Mail Facilities.— Early Rates of Postage. 

The Town Hall was erecte^d in IS-IT. It was hnilt by the 
late Capt. James Cook, by contract, for -fOOO, five-ninths 
of it being paid by the town, and four-ninths by the center 
school district. The first floor, with the exception of a 
small room used for keeping the town weights and meas- 
ures and for the storage of books, was occuj^ied for school 
purposes. The school at that time was graded, and two 
teachers were employed at least a ])ortion of the year. The 
larger school room occupied the entire north end, the 
smaller one being in the southeast corner, with a room 
between for storing wood. In lH7-.>, two rooms being no 
longer necessary, the small room was doubled in size by 
removing partitions, and has since been used as the only 
school room. The old room at the north end was divided 
by a partition, the east i)art being used for a wood room, 
and the west part was given to the church and parish to 
be used for prayer meetings and other gatherings, it being 
fitted up by the ladies for that purpose. The hall was 
])ainted last year (ISOO) both inside and out, and the in- 
terior papered in an artistic manner. A portion of the 
floor was carpeted with oil cloth. 
4 (49) 



i 

t" roads S^'i'"^ 



50 History oiP" pLaijJe'ielD; 

ROADS. 

It is very probable that (jiiite a number of 
been laid out in the district while it was a part of Cum- 
mington. These were most of them mere bridle paths, as 
wheel vehicles with the exception of ox carts were'i'are. 
The ordinary mode of travel was on foot or horsel^ack. 
If a grist was to be taken to the mill, it was slung supross 
the horse's back and given in charge of a boy who was 
placed on top. On Sundays, a " pillion " was jdaced behind 
the saddle which the " goodman '' bestrode, while his wife 
standing on the "horse block" nimbly mounted the 
pillion, perchance with a baby in her arms, and clinging to 
her husband they wended their way to the meeting-house, 
the larger children following on foot. If they were fortu- 
nate enough to possess a half-broken colt, this would 
probably be proudly ridden by one of the older boys. It 
must be remembered that the first roads laid out were not 
where the principal roads are now. Some of them are 
now unimportant, and many were long since discontinued. 
It is related that about the year 1800, Mrs. Polly White, 
mother of the late (). S. White, then a young married wo- 
man of about 18, and who was settled with her husband on 
the homestead so long occupied by them in the south part 
of the town, started to visit a neighbor, Mrs. Samuel 
Streeter, who lived where S. H. Sears now lives, something 
over a mile distant. At that time the town was mostly cov- 
ered with woods, and for a portion of the way the path was 
indicated by marked trees. She missed the way and wan- 
dered in the woods for an hour or less, when she heard at 
some distance the cheerful notes of a dinner horn blown 
by Mrs. Streeter to call the men to dinner, and directing 
her steps toward the welcome sound, she soon reached the 



BRIDGES. 51 

house, we may presume in time for dinner. Tlie roads 
were rapidly improved, and new ones were every year con- 
structed. Soon after tliis the ** thorough l)race " wagon 
was introduced, which was thought to be the height of 
perfection. If a journey of any length was to be taken 
with it, a small kettle of tar was hung from the hind axle 
to be used for lubricating jiurposes, it being thought nec- 
essary to apply it as often as once in ten miles. 

BRIDGES. 

March 23, 1790. " Voted that Simon Burroughs, Caleb 
White and Jeremiah Robinson be a committee to view the 
ground near Streeter's Saw-mill and Determine whether 
it be necessary to build a bridge over the Brook just above 
said mill or not." Later at the same meeting it was voted 
to build the bridge, which was probably one of the first in 
town. After the meeting-house was built, several new 
roads were very soon laid to accommodate the inhabitants 
in attending church. The town is fortunate in having no 
long bridges to support. Mill Brook is spanned by four. 
The most expensive liridge is the one known as " High 
Bridge," near Wm. H. Packard's. The stream at this 
place is narrow but 25 or 30 feet below the road bed. This 
bridge is of stone with culvert for the passage of the 
water, with a superstriu'ture of wood. It has been neces- 
sary to rebuild this several times within the memory of 
the writer. 

METHODS OF REPAIR OF ROADS. 

There are 42^ miles of road in town, now used. In 1885 
the town purchased a "Victor" Road machine, which is 
successfully used in repairing most of the roads. If prop- 



52 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELi), 

erly nsed an excellent road is the result. The mounds or 
water bars, formerly so numerous and annoying to the 
traveler, have mostly disappeared since the machine has 
])een used. The roads are kept in repair by an annual 
appropriation averaging about $800, while $300 is appro- 
priated for breaking roads in winter. The roads were 
formerly divided into ]9 or 20 highway districts, each 
under the supervision of a highway surveyor. The Leg- 
islature of 1889 abolished this office, and all towns were 
required to have a Superintendent of Streets, appointed by 
the Selectmen, or a board of three Road Commissioners. 
The town accepted the latter alternative and chose Warren 
I. Dunham, A. N. Gurney and J. O. Gloyd. It is*the 
general opinion that for farming communities the old 
system was preferable. At the annual meeting in March, 
1891, this board was abolished, and W. I. Dunham was 
appointed Superintendent of Streets by the Selectmen. 

NAMES OF STREETS. 

By an act of the Legislature of 1877, the Selectmen were 
required to name all roads on which any person lived, and 
specify the name of the street on which each voter lives, 
both on the Register of Voters, and on posted lists of the 
same. They are as follows: — 
Bow, from Main to Grant, by S. Burt's. 
Broome, from Central to Pleasant, by O. C. Burt's. 
Bluff, from Prospect to Summit, by H. W. Beals'. 
Central, from Hawley line past M. C. Butler's. J. W. 

Sears' and W. E. Shaw's, to Cummington line. 
East, from Main to Grant, by J. A. Winslow's. 
Governor, from Prospect to Summit, by C. W. Packard's. 
Grant, from Hawley line to Ashfield line, by Z. F. Cook's. 



NAMES OF STREETS. 53 

Hawley. from Main to Hawley line. l)y N. Barton's. 

Higli, from Kiver to Cumming-ton, l)y A. N. Gnrney's. 

Hill, from Main to River, by C. F. Dnnliam's. 

Liberty, fr(mi Prospect to terminns. by M. Stetson's. 

Lincoln, from River to High, by N. W. Cook's. 

Main, from Savoy line by Onslow Taylor's and the Center 

of the town, past L. E. Parker's, to Ashtield line. 
Maple, from Snnimit by O. Tirrell's. to terminus. 
Mountain, from Prosx)ect by M. Torrey's, to terminus. 
North, from Central l)y A. L. Richmond's, to Ashlield line. 
Parsons Avenue, from Central east to its terminus. 
Pleasant, from Central by L. K. Thayer's, to Ashlield line. 
Prospect, from Main by S. Stetson's, and W. M. Cleve- 
land's, to Cummington line. 
River, from Main l)y G. W. King's and Lester E. Street- 

er's, to Cummington line. 
South, from Pleasant by L. W. Gloyd's, to Cummington 

line. 
Stets<jn Avenue, fr(nn Main north by H. S. Barton's, to 

Hawley line. 
Summit, from Prospect to High, by Alden E. Streeter's. 
Union, from Central, near the cemetery, by S. H. Sears' 

and J. F. Gurney's, to River. 
West, from Main by H. Clark Packard's, to Cummington 

line. 
Windsor Av., from West by D. Harris', to Windsor line. 

» 

POST OFFICES AND POST MASTERS. 

A Post Otfice was established here in 181(), with John 
Mack as Post Master. He held the office during his 
lifetime and was succeeded l)y John Mack, Jr., and 
Whitney Hitchcock. After him the office was held by 



54 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Abner Gurney, who kept it in his store in the L part of 
the Moses Hallock house. He was succeeded by Leavitt 
Hallock. He kept it for a time in his house, the same 
now occupied by Mrs. Hamlen. Jacb Clark, Leonard 
Campbell and Levi Clark each afterward held the office. 
In 185G Leonard Campbell was again appointed, and held 
the office over 30 years until 188G, when he resigned and 
Foster W. Gilbert was appointed and assumed the office, 
Oct. 1, 188G. He tendered his resignation March 5, 1889, 
and Charles N. Dyer, the present incumbent, was com- 
missioned June 18. 1889. The first mail supply was from 
Cummington, and was carried on foot by Kingman 
Thayer, who made the trip once a week, bringing the mail 
bag on his back. This route was afterward extended to 
Shelburne Falls through Hawley and Buckland, and two 
trips per week were made. Later a route was established 
from South Deerfield to South Adams, through this town, 
on which four-horse coaches were run, going out one day 
and returning the next. When first established, the pres- 
ent county road had not been laid. The stage when 
coming from Ashfield ascended the hill just east of Samuel 
and Lot Bassett's in Ashfield, passing the house, then on 
by William Ford's and where Dea. Winslow lives, thence 
to the village, and down the hill by S. C. Streeter's, — up 
the stream over a section of road now discontinued, then 
by Marshall Stetson's over the now discontinued road by 
the Allis" place, which intersected the present county road 
near Henry S. Barton's. In 1885 a route was established 
between Plainfield and Charlemont on the Fitchburg R. 
R., through East Hawley, to run daily and return, by 
which route the larger j^art of the mail is sent and received. 
We are also supplied by a route running every other day 



EARLY RATES OF POSTAGE. 55 

from Aslifield to Adams, returning tlie next day. The 
early postal rates were as follows: For distances not over 
80 miles, Gic— 80 to 150, 12^0—150 to 400, 18|c— over 400, 
25c. Prepayment optional. The method of conducting 
the business of the post office 50 years ago, made it much 
more complicated and vexatious than under the present 
system. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Cemeteries.— Bill of Mortality.— List of Aged Deceased.— suicides.— Sudden 
Deaths. 

The place earliest used in town for a cemetery, so far as 
known, was the lot on the west side of the road, just north 
of Mrs. Rachel Shaw's, now occupied by C. W. Streeter as 
a pasture. Scarcely any trace of these early burials, of 
which there were only a few, now remains. No headstones 
were erected. Another ancient cemetery lies on the east 
side of the road just south of the meeting-house. This was 
in general use for perhaps twenty years, but was long 
since abandoned. The last interment here was that of 
Daniel Streeter, who suicided in 1S55. Here were interred 
Jeremiah Robinson, who owned and operated the first corn 
mill in town, and his successor, Joseph Beals, the "Moun- 
tain Miller," and their families. These last named have 
been re-interred in the fjrincipal cemetery north of the 
meeting-house. In 1881), the writer witnessed the disinter- 
ment of the remains of Jeremiah Robinson, who died in 
1824. Portions of the coffin still remained. One fragment 
bore his initials, J. R., formed by brass-headed nails driven 
into the wood, as was the custom in those days. Some 
20 headstones bearing inscriptions still remain. — About 
twenty persons were buried in the pasture about half a 
mile north of Amos K. Griggs'. No headstones were 
erected, but the graves can still be distinctly traced. — 

(50) 



CEMETERIES. 57 

There is aiiotlier old l)urial ground about a mile iiortliwest 
of Marshall Stetson's, on the old stage road now discon- 
tinued. Here quite a nuniher of headstones are still 
standing. Among those interred here, is the wife of 
Lemuel Allis, a Revolutionary pensioner. — On the farm of 
the late Dexter Dyer, in the extreme southwest jjart of the 
town, is a small yard where one or two families are buried. 
— Near Dea. Wiiislow's, in the east part of the town, is 
another, formerly used by the Stockwell family. Here are 
a few graves, most of them marked by headstones. — A few 
persons were buried in what is now a pasture, south of P. 
H. Cudworth's, their graves being marked by headstones 
with inscriptions. — A cemetery was early opened in the 
southeast part of the town, near Wm. H. Dyer's. This 
yard is nearly tilled, most of the graves l)eing marked with 
headstones or monuments. Here are buried Capt. James 
Hay ward, Al)ram and Jacob Clark, Elijah Warner, Sr., 
and Maj. David Whiton, who were among the first settlers. 
It is enclosed l)y a stone wall, and is neatly kept and cared 
for by Mr. Dyer. — In the southwest jjart of the town is 
another yard which has been cared for by Orrin Tirrell. 
This is well enclosed, and contains the handsome monument 
erected to the memory of tlie late Orrin Tirrell, Sr. , as well 
as numy other respectal)le headstones. The i)rincipal 
cemetery of the town, which lies about i of a mile north 
of the meeting-honse, was opened in 1808. The first person 
buried there was Lieut. Solomon Shaw. This yard was 
eidarged in 185(), and enclosed by a handsome stone wall. 
This is now used almost exclusively by persons from all 
parts of the town as a burial-place. Here are interred the 
Rev. Moses Hallock, Dr. Jacob Porter, Dea. James Rich- 
ards, John Mack, Dr. Samuel Shaw, Samuel Streeter, 



58 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Leavitt Hallock, and many otlier.s prominent in the history 
of the town. A receiving tonil) was built in the northwest 
corner of the yard in 1884, by the town, and is used during 
the winter months. We regret that the yard is not cared 
for as it should be. It is proposed to organize a Cemetery 
Association, composed of a number of our citizens, who 
would be authorized to control it, and by whom it might 
be enlarged and properly laid out. A small fee would be 
charged for burial lots, which have heretofore been free, 
the income from which would l)e used in caring for and 
beautifying the grounds. It is hoped that the project will 
be promptly carried out, as it is necessary that the grounds 
be enlarged within a year or two, and every citizen should 
be interested in it. 



In that village on the hill 

Never is sound of smithy or mill ; 

The houses are thatched with grass and flowers, 

Never a clock to tell the hours; 

The marble doors are always shut; 

You may not enter at hall or hut. 

All the village lie asleep, 

Never a grain to sow or reap; 

Never in dreams to moan or sigh — 

Silent, and idle, and low, they lie. 

In that village under the hill, 
When the night is stai-ry and still, 
Many a weary soul in prayer 
Looks to the other village there, 
And weeping and sighing, longs to go 
Up to that home from this below; 
Longs to sleep by the forest wild. 
Whither have vanished wife and child. 
And heareth, praying, the answer fall, — 
' Patience; That village shall hold you all! " 

Rose Terry Cooke. 



BILL OF MORTALITY. 59 

So live that when thy sunimoiis comes to join 
The iiniunierable caravan that moves 
To that mysterious reahn where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death, 
Thou go not like the quarry slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon; but, sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy gi-ave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. 

B7-yatit. 

BILL OF MORTALITY. 

This town is regarded as a very healthy locality, and 58 
per cent, of the deaths in the last 25 years, have been of 
pers(jns over 70 years of age. The early chnrch records 
furnish by far the most complete list of deaths for the 
period which they cover. Unfortunately in the church 
records the ages are not given till 1802. Dr. Porter says, 
"The following table exhibits the most complete list that 
I have been able to (d)tain of the deaths from 1785, inclu- 
sive, to the present time, with the name and age of the 
oldest i)erson who died in each year from 1802." His list 
ends with the year ] 833, and has been continued by the 
writer up to the present year: 



1785 


2 




1794 


18 




1786 


2 




1795 


2 




1787 


8 




1796 


11 




1788 


6 




1797 


8 




178!» 


2 




1798 







1790 


3 




1799 


10 




1791 


G 




1800 


13 




1792 


7 • 


1793 3 


1801 


18 




1802 


9 


Widow Macintire, 




83 


1803 


30 


John Carr, 






94 


1804 


15 


Jacob Gloyd, 






71 



00 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 



1805 


11 


Dea. Jolin Packard's wife, 


00 


lyoG 


15 


Widow Wliitoii, 


80 


1807 


14 


Dea. John Packard, 


71 


1808 


18 


Moses Curtis, 


80 


180'J 


8 


Jacob Hawes, 


08 


1810 


15 


Widow Snow, 


81 


1811 


11 


Setli Ford's wife. 


80 


1812 


12 


Jacob Joy, 


77 


1813 


17 


Dea. Joseph Beals, 


01 


1814 


10 


Eljenezer Beals, 


83 


1815 


13 


Jepthah Pool's wife, 


00 


1810 


11 


Widow Hannah Colson, 


1)0 


1817 


12 


Caleb Beals, 


00 


1818 


14 


Widow Hannah Smith, 


75 


181!) 


14 


Widow Shaw, 


81 


1820 


7 


John Joy's wife, 


3!) 


1821 


12 


Benjamin Pool, 


50 


1822 


10 


Widow Daniels, 


70 


1823 


13 


Joseph Pool, 


84 


1824 


15 


Samuel Whitman, 


!»3 


1825 


13 


Dea. Gideon Shaw, 


80 


1820 


10 


Levi Stetson, 


80 


1827 


8 


Caleb Joy, 


70 


1828 


I) 


Amnion White, 


82 


182!) 


13 


Noah Packard's wife. 


75 


1830 


17 


Benjamin Carr's wife, 


82 


1831 


13 


Widow Abigail Vining, 


71 


1832 


7 


Jacob Clark, 


77 


1833 


!J 


Gideon Hammond, 


!)0 


1834 


15 


Abraham Clark, 


83 


1835 





Ebenezer Bisbee's wife, 


78 


1830 


10 


Widow of Andrew Cook. 


!H) 



BILL OF MORTALITY. 61 

James Dyer. 95 

Benjamin Carr. 92 

Widow Silence Clark, s;} 

Calel) White. 96 

Mary Ann Noyes, 34 

Dea. James Richards, 85 

Paul McCoy, 85 

Samuel Streeter, 90 

Daniel Gurney, 80 

Ebenezer Dickinson, 94 

Barnabas Packard, 83 

Olive Torrey, 85 

Sarah Beals, 90 

Sally Warner, 85 

Vincent Curtis, 91 

John Hamlen, 89 

Jacob Snow, 94 

Elizabeth Hay ward, 87 

Alice Gloyd, HC> 

Lois Nash. 92 

Sally Beals, 88 

Whitcomb Stetson, 84 

Jacob Beals, 77 

Jacob Jones, Sr. , 90 

Samuel Davison, 88 

Polly Holdridge, 85 

Esther Baldwin, 98 

Consider Stockwell, 74 
From ISdC), for comparison, the number of hirfhs occur- 
ring ill each year is placed at the left of date. 

7 ISOO 9 Sally Dyer, 73 

11 1S67 10 Polly Shaw, 93 



1837 


13 


1838 


12 


1839 


11 


1840 


9 


1841 


11 


1S42 


21 


1 S43 


13 


1S44 


16 


1 S4o 


!l 


1846 


12 


1847 


15 


1848 


10 


1849 


14 


1850 


22 


1851 


19 


1852 


17 


1853 


17 


1855 


12 


1856 


!) 


1857 


12 


1858 


17 


185') 


s 


1860 


s 


1861 


10 


1863 


12 


1863 


22 


1864 


11 


1865 


8 



62 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Levi Cook, 85 

Nancy Pease, 90 

Polly Tirrell, 95 

Samuel White, 94 

Jacob Whitmarsh, 83 

Julia Butler, 85 

Levi Campbell, 88 

Sally Bradley, 72 

James Joy, 82 

Samuel Thayer, Jr., 88 

Abigail Torrey, ' 82 

John Bisbee, 93 

Hannah Cook, 87 

Stephen Hayward, 94 

Jerusha King, 93 

Samuel Loud, 88 

David Shaw, 90 

Sally Packard, 91 

Ezra W. Haskins, 85 

Delia Warner, 87 

Mary Joy, 91 

Seth S. Williams, 87 

James Warner, 91 

Total births in last 25 years, 187. Deaths, 214. The 
greatest age attained by any person was 98, Esther 
Baldwin in 1864. In 1794 and 1803 the scarlet fever pre- 
vailed; in 1806, the typhus fever. In 1798 there were no 
deaths. In 1834, 11 of the 15 deaths were children under 
5 years of age, and it does not appear that there was any 
prevalent disease. In 1850, dysentery prevailed, there 
being 15 deaths from that cause. On Aug. 29 of that year, 
three children lay dead, and also on Sept. 15. — Oct. 7, 1857, 



14 


1868 


8 


12 


1869 


12 


13 


1870 


9 


(') 


1871 


10 


9 


1872 


6 


8 


1873 


8 


10 


1874 


11 


4 


1875 


2 


7 


1876 


(i 


i 


1877 


8 


6 


1878 


5 


11 


1879 


9 


5 


1880 


9 


6 


1881 


12 


7 


1882 


12 


3 


1883 


13 


5 


1884 


12 


4 


1885 


7 


9 


1886 


4 


6 


1887 


10 


6 


1888 


7 


8 


1889 


8 


3 


1890 


7 



SUDDEN DEATHS. 63 

three adults died, viz. : Pliebe Hitchcock, Beza Reed and 
Sarah Jones. Their funerals were attended on the same 
day. Oct. 9.— May 7, 1855, Daniel Streeter suicided by 
hanging himself to a tree in the woods near the southeast 
corner of Stephen Parsons' farm. — April 5, 1873, Dr. G. H. 
Taylor took his own life by hanging himself in his barn. 
The following deaths seem worthy of particular notice: 
Jan. 0. 1S()4, Lucinda Packard was found dead in her bed. 
May 1!), ls()4, James Thayer was drowned at Cummington, 
aged 21. June 23, 1812, Levi Stetson. Jr., aged 35, was 
killed almost instantly by the fall of a tree. Aug. 1], 1812, 
the wife of Gideon Hammond died in her chair at work, in- 
stantly, as is supposed. Her husband awoke from a short 
nap after dinner, and found her sitting at her quill-wheel, 
dead. Her age was 51. Oct. 22, 1817, a son of Jetson 
Stetson died from a Ijean in the windpij^e, aged 5. May 
4, 1820, Daniel Brown was killed instantly by a log rolling- 
over him. May 10, 1828, the wife of Benjamin Towne, 
aged 39, was found after a long search by many persons, 
dead in the woods in Hawley, having wandered from home 
several days before, while insane. Oct. 28, 1831, Clarissa 
Stetson, aged 8, died in consequence of burns received 
from her clothes taking fire. July 11, 1833, Samuel Swift, 
aged about 50, was killed instantly at Cummington by the 
fall of a tree. March 8, 1831, Charles Bela Dyer, 2 years 
old, died in consequence of a piece of apple in the wind- 
pipe. Jan. 30, 1842, Matthias Crittenden, aged OO, fell 
dead while returning from attending church. Marcus M. 
Lincoln, aged 7, son of Isaac K. Lincoln, was drowned July 
15, 1845, while bathing with other boys in a small i)ond, 
west of Joseph Gloyd's. Dec. 19, 1,S80, Joseph Gloyd, Jr., 
aged 74, died very suddenly. He rose in the morning as 



64 HISTORY OF PLAlNFIELb. 

usual and had partially dressed, when he complained of 
feeling ill, and expired in a few moments. Dec. Ifi, 1886, 
Joseph Sears, aged GO, died suddenly of heart disease. He 
had just returned from a neighbors, ai)parently in his 
usual health. He sat down on entering the house, being 
somewhat out of breath, and soon after expired. John 
Joy fell, or was thrown from his horse, on the hill al:>ove 
Nelson W. Cook's, breaking his neck, Aug. 21, 1848, while 
on his way to church. His age was 09. Jacob Jones, Jr. 
died suddenly while at work near his barn, Dec. 15, 1873, 
as:ed 71. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Stores and Manufactures.— John Mack.— I. K. Lincoln and Others.— Jacob 
AND Levi Clark. — Leonard Campbell. — Stores at Present Time. — Robinson's 
Corn Mill. — Warner, Whiting & Co. — Streeter's Factory. — Tannery. — Oth- 
er Manufactures. 

Tradition says tliat one Perkins kept the first store in 
town, but his given name and place of business are not 
known. His lousiness was probably unimportant, else 
some account of it would have been handed down. With 
the above exception, the first store established was that of 
John Mack, some time previous to ISlC). The building 
used stood a rod or two south of Clark Smith's house. 
About 1820 he erected the brick store on the common, now 
occupied by H. S. Packard. This was considered a very 
elegant structure at that time, and is really a fine, sub- 
stantial building. Here he did business until his death in 
1833. He was for some ten years or more the only mer- 
chant in town and did a thriving business. The goods 
kept 75 years ago were very few in number and variety. 
Liquors of various kinds, molasses, salt, codfish, a little 
brown and loaf sugar, chintz cloth, and possibly one or 
two other kinds, thread, etc. Isaac K. Lincoln built a 
store in the southeast part of the town, and carried on the 
mercantile business for some 20 years. Much of the trade 
was an exchange business. Eggs, cheese, tow and linen 
cloth were taken in exchange for goods. These commodi- 
ties were taken by teams to Boston, which returned loaded 
5 (05) 



66 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

witli goods for the store. It took about eight days to make 
the round trip. Irani Packard built the house now occu- 
pied by Levi Chirk as early as 1S25, a portion of which he 
used as a store. This was afterwards kept by Aaron Saw- 
yer, and about 1830 by Shaw & Stowell; then by Jacob 
and Levi Clark. Mr. Clark discontinued the business in 
1855. G. G. Keyes afterwards leased the rooms and kept 
a store there from about 1859 to 1862 or 3. Lyman Dawes 
also had a store there for a short time. Leonard Campbell 
opened a store here in 1855 in the l)uilding formerly occu- 
pied by Ira Hamlen, as a hatter's shop. In a few years he 
enlarged tlie building, and has continued in business until 
the present time. For nearly 20 years this was the only 
store in town, except while Keyes and Dawes were here, 
which was only a short time. For some 25 years up to 
about 1875, and even later, the palm-leaf hat industry was 
a profitable part of the merchant's business. This was 
carried on mostly by the Messrs. Clark and later l)y Mr. 
Cami)bell. The prepared leaf was furnished by the mer- 
chants, and by them given out to the different families. 
The hats were braided by the women and girls, and 
although the pay was small, it amounted in the aggregate 
to cpiite a large sum. At one time probably three-fourths 
of the families in town were engaged in the business. Mr. 
Campbell for about 25 years made a specialty of the milli- 
nery business, in which he had a heavy trade from this 
and adjoining towns. He was in trade here a few years 
previous to 1855, but discontinued the business for awhile, 
and re-opened that year. Abner Gurney kept a store 
for a short time in the L part of the house formerly 
occupied by Rev. Mr. Hallock, the post office being kept 
there at the same time. The business of John Mack was 



STORES AT PRESENT TIME. (j7 

carried on l)y Jolni Mack, Jr. for a year or two when it 
was bought l)y Whitney J. Hitchcock. He was not here 
long, and was snccceeded hy Shaw <& Stowell. Afterward 
W. C. Gilbert bought and carried on the store for some 
years, or until about bS52, when he left it for a farm. 
Then Charles Mack, who had been clerk for Gilbert, 
bought the stock arid carried on the business for tw<j or 
three years. Then S. W. Streeter took tlie business, and 
after him E. A. Clark and Eugene Shaw were in it for a 
short time; Imt the business was closed up in 185G. No 
store was kept here from this time until about lS7o, 
wdien the store was purchased by Chas. R. Burt, who 
stocked it with goods and carried on the business for some 
four years, when he sold out to Mrs. Eliza A. Packard, 
who kept the store with the assistance of her sons for 
about seven years, when the business was transferred to 
her oldest son, H. S. Packard, by whom it has since been 
conducted. He has lately enlarged the main store room 
(which had been divided by C. P. Burt) and filled it with 
a large and complete stock of goods. C. N. Dyer opened 
a small grocery store in his house in 1880. The business 
increasing, other lines of goods were added, and interior 
changes in the building were made to accommodate it. 
When F. W. Gilbert was ap]>ointed postmaster in 188(1, the 
post office was removed to this store and placed in charge 
of Mr. Dyer, who was Asst. P. M. In 1887 Mr. Dyer sold 
the place, including the farm, and bought of D. H. Gould 
the corner lot east of the Town Hall, on which he at once 
erected a building to be used for a store and tenement, to 
which he removed his business, including the post office, 
about Sept. 1, 1887, and where he still carries it on. There 
are several dealers in farmers' produce. L. W. Joy, who 



C)S HIBTORY OF PLAINFIELi). 

has been in the business many years, and disposes of his 
produce in Northampton; A. N. Gurney, who carries liis 
produce to Adams, his specialty being pork in the wliole 
carcass, which he sells to retail dealers; he also sells flour, 
meal, etc., and some heavy groceries. J. N. Benjamin 
also does a produce business, disposing of his stock at 
Adams. His specialties are butter, whole pork, and 
apples. 

MANUFACTURES. 

[The author is laro^ely indebted to an article in the Hampshire Co. Gazetteer, 
by F. W. Gilbert, for the substance of this article.] 

It is believed that the grist mill, or " corn mill," as it 
was called, of Jeremiah Robinson, said to have been estab- 
lished in 1789, and the saw mill of Samuel Streeter, both 
on Mill brook, were the first mills of any kind established 
here, being mentioned in the records as early as 1791. In 
1798 the grist mill was purchased by Joseph Beals, "the 
Mountain Miller," who managed the business until his 
death in 1813. His son, Dea. Robert, then conducted it 
for a number of years, and about 1827 or 1828 built the 
present mill, which stands several rods further down the 
stream than the original structure. Jared Bisbee, Hcjratio 
Lyon, Dexter White and Edwin Torrey succeeded in turn 
to the management. In 1801 James A. Nash purchased 
the property. He has greatly improved it and still carries 
on the business. Samuel Streeter's saw-mill stood just 
above the site of Streeter's factory. A saw-mill operated 
by his sons and grandson, also his great-grandson, was 
continued on the same site until about 1870. On the brook 
in the northeast corner of the town is a saw-mill. The 
original mill on this site w^as built by Levi Campbell, and 
was for many years operated by his son, Levi N. Campbell. 



MANUFACTUKES. 



69 




70 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

About 1884 or 1885 it came into the possession of George 
W. Billings. He substituted a circular mill for the old 
style, and carried on the business until the mill was burn- 
ed in April, 1890. Mr. Billings has rebiiilt it, and pur- 
chased new machinery. His specialty is the manufacture 
of cloth boards. The stream which runs near Wm. H. 
Dyer's has been from early times the scene of many at- 
tempts at manufacture, most of them being for the time 
successful. Probably the first enterprise of this sort was 
the grist mill of Thomas Shaw, which was situated some 
distance north of W. H. Dyer's, near the old brickyard. 
Evidence exists that places the date of its erection before 
1800. It was aljandoned about 1830, and no trace of it 
remains. Who first opened the brickyard near it is uncer- 
tain, but brick were made there early in the present cen- 
tury, probably by Joshua or Thomas Shaw. The Warner 
brothers made brick there for several years in the vicinity 
of 1840 and later. About 1871 or 1872 O. S. White and 
S. W. Clark re-fitted the yard and made brick for two or 
three seasons; since then none have been made there. On 
the stream just below this in the earlier part of the cen- 
tury was the cloth dressing shop of Jacob Clark. About 
1830, on, nearly the same site, Randall Whiting, James 
and Cushing Warner, under the firm name of Warner, 
Whiting & Co., built a factory for the manufacture of 
satinets, and for general custom work. A boarding-house 
was also erected. About a dozen hands were employed in 
the factory. After some years the firm failed and the 
business was suspended. Subsequently, Wm. Gurney 
made an attempt to revive the business, but without much 
success. The buildings were removed about 1857. The 
site of the factory was about six rods south of the road on 



MANUFACTURES. 71 

tlie west side of the stream, near W. H. Dyer's. Rem- 
nants of the dam and raceway are still visible. Still lower 
on the stream, John White l)uilt a mill for the manufac- 
ture of broom handles abont is:5(i. This was in operation 
for eight or ten years, and the buildings were then re- 
moved. A saw-mill on the same site was continued a few 
years longer. Further down was the ancient saw-mill of 
Ziba White. This mill was probably erected soon after 
1800, and was in use about 40 years. A mill privilege 
below this was improved by Warner & Gloyd about 1S45. 
They erected a saw-mill, and afterwards a cider mill. The 
saw-mill was not used after l(S5(i, and l)oth were soon after- 
wards torn down. The small stream by the side of the 
road just below Cam]) hell's store seems hardly sufficient 
to turn a boy's water-wheel, yet on this rivulet, about 05 
years ago, a pretentious tannery was erected l)y Dorn & 
Remington. Their water-wheel was an overshot, of unu- 
sual size, 18 feet in diameter, and their buildings were 
([uite capacious. The preparations proved unavailaljle, 
and they went down the valley, and settled on Mill Brook. 
On this brooklet at about the same time were the potash 
works of Iram Packard. At the time Dorn & Remington 
removed to the valley, in LSoO, they built a large tannery 
100x30, covering 80 vats, nearly opposite the present resi- 
dence of Lester Streeter, where they did a large business. 
Mr. Dorn sold his share to a Mr. Parsons, and later the 
new firm disposed of the property to Giddings & Latham. 
After a time Giddings disposed of his share to Latham, 
who carried on the business until his death in 1851. The 
business was not afterward revived. The beam house was 
fitted up for the manufacture of broom handles a number 
of years later by Nelson C. Clapp, but not much was done 



72 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

at the business. On tlie small brooklet referred to near 
tlie village, before Dorn & Remington began their prep- 
arations tliere, Cyrus Joy had a small tannery for tanning- 
upper leather. There was also about that time, a small 
tannery a few rods east of Homer Cook's. There were but 
a few vats, and no water power, the bark being ground at 
Samuel Streeter's saw-mill and drawn up the hill to the 
tannery. At the upper water privilege on Mill Brook, 
Isaiah Stetson, in 1817, built a saw-mill and managed it 
for several years. Afterwards David and Wm. Stowell 
purchased it, and continued the business until 1854, at 
which date it passed into the hands of W. C. Gilbert. In 
1855, George W. King bought, and still owns the property. 
He manufactures broom and brush handles, besides custom 
sawing and planing. — Adjoining Samuel Streeter's saw- 
mill, before referred to, in the early part of the century 
was a cloth-dressing shop conducted successively by Daniel 
Richards, Mr. Gleason and others. On the site of this, in 
1830, Arnold and Nahum Streeter built a factory for the 
manufacture of satinet, flannel, and other woolen goods. 
This was burned in 1825. It was rebuilt and managed by 
the Streeter family until 187<), when it was again destroyed 
by fire, and has not been rebuilt. — On the other side of the 
road from Willcutt's saw-mill, in 1810 was a flax-dressing 
mill, owned and run by Noah and Iram Packard. About 
181G, Reuben Hamlen and Otis Pratt built on the same site 
a factory for the manufacture of satinets and woolen 
goods. In 1820 the building which is now the Willcutt 
mill was removed across the road where it now stands. 
Mr. Pratt sold his share to Erastus Bates, who moving 
West in 1834 left Mr. Hamlen to manage the mill alone. 
After a few years the business was given up. Later, Jason 



MANUFACTURES. 73 

Noyes used it for a, chair factory. Ell^ridge King rented 
it for awhile. Capt. James Cook finally houglit the prop- 
erty, and it was used for a saw-mill. He sold to Daniel 
Ingraham, who made baskets there. In l.S(i7 William 
Willcutt bought the plant from Ingraham, rei)aired it 
thoroughly and i)ut in entirely new machinery, including 
a circular saw-mill. He now uses annually from .')() to 50 
thousand feet of liard wood lumber in the manufacture of 
whip butts, which are sold in Westfield, Mass. He also 
makes some broom and brush handles, besides doing custom 
sawing and planing. Several men are employed. His 
son, George L. , has an interest in the business. — A few 
rods below the present grist-mill of J. A. Nash, was once 
a saw-mill, long since abandoned. Portions of the foun- 
dation walls are still visible. In 1852 Wm. J. Shattuck 
built a saw-mill on the west branch of Mill brook. The 
supply of water proving insufficient, the mill was after 
several years practically abandoned, and the building was 
removed in 1884. — The saw-mill at the outlet of the crooked 
pond in the extreme northwest part of the town, now 
owned by Onslow Taylor, was built by Lyman Morton, 
more than fifty years ago. A circular mill was put in by 
the present owner a few years since. Mr. Morton also 
built a dam on the " Grant " brook near David Packard's, 
and erected a small shop thereabout 1825. The power was 
used for operating a trip-hammer for forging heavy iron 
work. Isaac Saddler, m<jre than 00 years ago, had a cloth- 
dressing shop on Mill Brook, near the residence of the late 
Philander Packard. Later Homan Hallock had a shop 
near by, where he manufactured Arabic type, using the 
same water power. In 1840 there was a tack shop near 
where Shepard Dyer lives, conducted by Roland Shaw, 



74 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

wliere six or eight men were employed. No power was 
used. Tacks were also made in a shop at the upper vil- 
lage not far from the same time. Early in the present 
century, Ira Hamlen operated a hatter's shop, which to- 
gether with his house was burnt in 1834. It was rebuilt, 
and business carried on for some time. The building used 
is now the south wing of Campbell's store. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Physicians.— Dr. Tobrey.— Dr. Porter.— Dr. Samuel Shaw.— " Hit Him Anoth- 
er."— Later Practitioners.— Justices (jp the Peace. 

The first physician practising in town was Dr. Sohmion 
Bond, his name occurring in tlie town records as early as 
1780. He was succeeded hy Dr. Barney Torrey and Dr. 
Jacob Porter. The hitter, although a highly educated 
man, gave his attention mostly to literary pursuits, l^eiiig 
well versed in botany and mineralogy. His medical prac- 
tice was very inconsiderable. He was the autlior of a his- 
tory of Phiin field, published in 1834. He died Nov. 15, 
184:(), aged 03. He was interred near the front of the prin- 
cipal cemetery under the shade of six tamerack trees which 
he had set out there some years previous. They have 
since been removed. All the young trees of that variety 
in the cemetery and vicinity sprung from seed from these 
six trees, as it was scattered by the winds. 

DR. SAMUEL SHAW, 

who spent his life here, deserves more than a passing no- 
tice. He was a son of Josiah and Anna Shaw, who came 
from Abington, Mass., and settled here in 1792, on the 
homestead occupied by the late Freeman Shaw. Dr. Shaw 
was born in Abington, Mass., May G, 1700, being less than 
two years old when his parents settled here. After attend- 
ing for some time the school of Rev. Moses Hallock, he 

(75) 



76 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

studied medicine with Dr. Peter Bryant of Cummington, 
father of Wm. Cullen Bryant. In ISl'j and 1830 he attend- 
ed medical lectures in Boston. He became Dr. Bryant's 
partner in practice, the partnership being continued until 
the death of the latter. In 1821 he married Dr. Bryant's 
daughter, Sarah Snell Bryant. He was licensed as a medi- 
cal practitioner the same year. The following is a copy 
of his certificate: 

] ^' r Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

t s. )■ 

We the subscribers. Censors of the Massachusetts Med- 
ical Society, duly appointed and authorized, have examined 
Samuel Shaw of Cummington, in the County of Hamj)- 
sliire, a candidate for the Practice of Physick and Surgery; 
and having found him qualified, do appoint and license 
him as a Practitioner in Medicine, agreeable to the law in 
that case made and provided. Dated at Northampton, 
this 3rd day of May, A. D. one thousand eight hundred 
and twenty-one. 

Elihu Dwight, ) 
William Hooker, > 
Jos. H. Flint. \ 

By virtue of the power in me vested, I have hereunto 
affixed the seal <jf the Massachusetts Medical Society. 

Jos. Fisher, M. D., President. 
Attest, John Dixwell, M. D., Ree. Secretary. 

After Dr. Bryant's death. Dr. Shaw in 1824 removed to 
Plainfield and commenced practice. His wife deceased 
Dec. 12, 1824, of consumption. This sad event inspired 
the beautiful poem of her distinguished brother, Wm. C. 
Bryant, entitled "The Death of the Flowers." In 1830 
Dr. Shaw married Elizabeth Owen Clarke of Northamp- 




.^$iC:^^^'7^2.^<,.<^^ 



DR. SAMUEL SHAW. 7t 

ton. daughter of Joseph Clarke, a lawyer descended from 
the Cooks, Lynians, Pomeroys, and other early settlers of 
that town, and the adopted son of Major Joseph Hawley. 
Elizabeth's beanty, grace and lovely character, were the 
theme of many a letter written by old Dr. Flint of North- 
ampton to Dr. Shaw, before the engagement. She died 
Sept. 37, 1X08. Dr. Shaw at first lived in the house lately 
re-modeled by Wm. Winslow. In 1833 he built the house 
which he occupied during the remainder of his life, and 
which is still owned by his daughters, who occupy it dur- 
ing the summer and fall months. It was thoroughly built 
and is now in an excellent state of preservation. Dr. Shaw 
was in active practice until 1X54. In the fall of that year 
he was called one evening to attend his married daughter 
then living in West Cummington. While descending the 
hill in the southwest part of the town, some portion of the 
carriage suddenly gave way, and he was thrown' violently 
to the ground. Being a large, heavy man, the shock was 
a very severe one, from which he never fully recovered. 
He was able however to occasionally visit patients for 
some years after, but always with some one to drive his 
horse. The writer remembers him as one who always had 
a good story to tell and liked a joke. His jolly " Haw, 
haw, haw," rings in my ears yet. One little episode I will 
relate. A near neighbor had several large boys who were 
inclined to be unruly. The neighbor was a rather ({uick 
tempered man, and one morning, one of his boys having 
provoked him in some way, he gave him a sounding box 
on the ear, the doctor being an unseen witness. The boy 
moaned greatly, and carried his head to one side, in-etend- 
ing that he could not lift it to its normal i)osition. The 
doctor watching the boy occasionally through the day 



78 HISTORY OK PLAINFIELD. 

from his otfice window, noticed that when his father was 
out of sight, liis head resumed its natnral position. If liis 
father appeared, his neck was at once bent as before. 
Toward evening, the father becoming somewhat alarmed, 
visited the doctor in company with his son, whose head still 
hung on one side. " Doctor," said lie, " I am a little hasty, 
and when I gave the boy a cuff this morning, I suppose I 
gave him a harder blow than I intended, and he don't seem 
to be able to straighten his neck since. Now what treat- 
ment would you advise?" "Well," said the doctor, de- 
liberately, drawing down the corners of his eyebrows, ''In 
my opinion, the best thing you can do, would be to hit 
him a iliinidering crack on the other ear." The boy did 
not wait to have his father follow this advice, but at once 
made off with head erect. — The doctor was tenderly cared 
for in his declining years by his daughters. He deceased 
Sept. 24, 1870, aged 80. He was for many years prominent 
in town affairs, being for eight years one of the selectmen. 
His office has been preserved in very much the same con- 
dition in which he left it. The case of books and the iron 
mortar and pestle used in compounding medicines, once 
belonged to Dr. Peter Bryant, and were used by him, pre- 
vious to their coming into Dr. Shaw's possession. He was 
for forty years a member of the Mass. Medical Society. 
His quick intuitions and great skill, combined with a keen 
knowledge of human nature and a cheerful disposition, 
made him a successful and popular physician. 

LATER PRACTITIONERS. 

Dr. Chas. Bowker came here about 1855, but remained 
only a year or two. Dr. J. M. Eaton settled here about 
1858, and remained two or three years. Dr. G. H. Taylor 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 79 

carne here al)Out ISiio, and practiced until his deatli in 
lS7o, except one year, wlien lie was absent in the avniy. 
Dr. O. H. Lamb practiced liere a few months al)<)nt 1S74. 
Dr. Daniel E. Thayer commenced practice here in 1S75, 
and remained here two or three years. Dr. G. R. Fessen- 
den came here in 1S70, and remained abont a ye;ir, when 
he removed to Ashiield. He is now often callc(l to visit 
patients here. Since his removal we have had no resident 
physician. 

-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

So far as known, the first Justice in town was James 
Richards, who was commissioned June s, 1802. Others 
were commissioned in the order named. Ebenezer Colson, 
Cyrus Joy, Irani Packard, Elijah Warner, Sr., John 
Mack, Sr., Erastus Bates, Leavitt Hallock, Jason Rich- 
ards, Elijah Clark, Isaac K. Lincoln, George Vining, 
David Shaw, Wm. Gurney, Albert Dyer, Fred E. Camp- 
hell, James A. Winslow, Charles N. Dyer. L. Cani])bell 
was appointed a Notary Public in 1S87. 



CHAPTER X. 



RffiVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. — SOLDIERS OP 1812. — ARTILLERY COMPANY. — LiST OF 

Soldiers in War of the Rebellion.— Deaths Among.— G. A. R. Post. 

The following list of Revolutionary Pensioners, we copy 
from Dr. Porter's history of Plain field. It contains the 
names of those still living in 1833, with the amount drawn 
annually by each. The amount is believed to have been 
based on their length of service. 

Rev. Moses Hallock, $ 23yW 
Jacob Nash, 100 

Phillip Packard, 96 

Whitcomb Pratt, 80 

James Richards, ^ofVV 

Josiah Shaw, 80 

Samuel Streeter, 96 

Josiah Torrey, lOeyW 

Caleb White, 32^^ 
At least two of our citizens served in the war of 1812. 
These were Orrin Tirrell and Samuel Thayer, Jr. It is 
believed that they were not called out of the state, but did 
military duty in the vicinity of Boston for a few weeks. 

There was another who though not a citizen of the town 
at the time of the war, settled here immediately after- 
wards — Lieut. Brackley Shaw, who lived on the farm after- 
wards occupied by the late Jared Dyer. During the war 
of 1812 Lieut. Shaw had command of a battery on an 

(80) 



Lemuel Allis, 


$ 96 


Joseph Barnard, 


96 


Ebenezer Bisbee, 


20 


John Campbell, 


oq 3 3 


Vinson Curtis, 


80 


Ebenezer Dickinson 


, 30 


James Dyer, 


100 


Joseph Gloyd, 


20 



ARTILLERY COMPANY. SI 

island in Boston hai'1)oi'. In is--25lie removed to Ira, N. Y.. 
and ten years later to Mieliii^'an. being one of the pioneer 
settlers of that state. His son, Bracklev Shaw. Jr., had 
in 1<S87 been for 14 years a nieml)er of tlie Michigan legis- 
latnre, serving six years as senator. Another son, Rrv. 
Horatio Watson Shaw, went to India in lsr)0, to take 
(diarge of tlie Mission C(dlege at Allahal)ad, retnrning after 
six years service. 

THE ARTILLERY COMPANY. 

This coni})any was first organized in Williamsburg, and 
from thence, as it drew many of its recruits from the hill 
towns, the company armory and guns were successively 
removed to Goshen, and in the early part of the present 
century to Plainticld. One of the early Captains of the 
Company after its liead(iuarters were estal)lished here, was 
Noah Joy of Hawley, who was afterward Colonel of the 
3rd Artillery Regiment, of which perha])s this company 
may have been the nucleus. About is-^o the musicians of 
the company were Levi Campbell and Wm. Wilcutt, Sr., 
fifers, and Oliver Pool, drummer. In those days the State 
Militia was not fostered and petted l)y Government as at 
present, but each soldier must arm, e({ui}) and uniform 
himself, lose his time while on duty and ])ay his own ex- 
penses. So few there were who felt e(|ual to the sacrilice 
that recruits were drawn from eight dift'erent towns, viz. : 
Plaintield, Goshen, Chesterfield, Savoy, Windsor, Cum- 
mington, Hawley and Ashtield. Among the first captains 
of the company were Capt. Eldridge, Levi Cook, Wm. 
Joy, Harry Torrey,* David R. Whiting,* Randall Dyer, 
John Mack,* Charles W. Parker and James Cook; later, 
Leonard Cam})bell * and Ltni N. Campbell, all citizens of 



82 HlSToilY OF PLAiNFIELi). 

Plainfield. Those (^f the above marked with a star after 
name, were honored later by being elected field officers 
in the 3rd Artillery Regiment. Levi N. Campbell was by 
the unanimous vote of the Regiment elected Major, but 
declined. While he was captain, in 1847, the state author- 
ities, at his request, granted an order for building a new 
armory, the old one which stood near the present site of J. 
N. Benjamin's house, having become unfit for use. The 
contract was given to the late David Shaw, who erected the 
building a few rods east of where Jeremiah Tyrrell lives, 
and finished it to the acceptance of the Adjutant General. 
It was used as an armory until the company and regiment 
disbanded. As late as 1 8<)0 it was sold, removed to the upper 
village, re-modeled into a dwelling, and is now owned and 
occupied by Mrs. Frances P. Clark (since deceased). 
About the time the new armory was built, the state sup- 
plied the regiment with the old Springfield musket and 
required the rank and file to drill with them, and to prac- 
tice the manual of arms; but the project was only a par- 
tial success, the soldiers not taking kindly to the clumsy 
arm, and they were soon called in. About this time the 
old four pounder brass cannon were exchanged for new 
six pounders. L. N. Campbell having resigned, he was 
succeeded as captain by Edward Bridgman of Goshen, 
and he by Levi Gardner of Ashfield. Among the Lieu- 
tenants of the comi)any were Madison Knowlton of Ash- 
field, Henry Joy of Hawley, Abishur Nash, Daniel Stock- 
well, Philander Packard, Thomas Packard and Ansel K. 
Bradford of Plainfield. Bradford was afterwards chosen 
captain, and held that office when the company disbanded. 
Among those who served as musicians, were L. N. Camp- 
bell, William and Abner Gurney, Orson S. White, Lyman 



SOLDIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELLION. S,") 

K. TliJiyer, Leonai'cl and J. Lyman Canij)l)('ll, Millt'ou S. 
Collnini. Sylvaniis Rice. Isaiah Stetson, Orrin Stetson, 
Isaac S. Nash, Calvin Shaw and Horace Hamlen. The 
hite Apollos Gardner belonged to this company, and will 
be well remembered by those members still living. He 
nsed to "thumb the i)iece." The cannon liy continuous 
firing- soon became heated and I suppose the merest spark 
sometimes remained in the breech. It was his duty to hold 
his thumb over the touch-hole while the gun was being 
re-loaded. As soon as he removed it, the draft of air thus 
admitted fanned the latent spark within, and a discharge 
immediately followed. A cot of deerskin was usually 
worn on the thumb for protection, but he was sometimes 
without this. He never iiinched, though Ids thuml) was 
sometimes badly burned, and never permitted a premature 
discharge. Among the members of the company Capt. 
Ansel K. Bradford, Isaac S. Nash and Chas. S. Stetson 
served in the civil war, and probably a number of otliers. 

SOLDIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

Plainfield furnished during this war sixty-one men. 
an excess of seven over all calls. The fcdlowing is a list, 
the names occurring in the order of their enlistment, to- 
gether with the regiment and company in whicli they 
served, also date of mustering in and of discharge or 
death. Mass. Infantry is understood, and their rank as 
private, unless otherwise stated. 

Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged. 

Chauncey C. Shaw, H 27 Sept. 20, 'dl. Mar. 31, 'o:}. 

Wesley Woodard, Corp. C '^ Oct. 1, " Oct. — '02. 

Newell Dyer, 2d., C ol •' 12, " Apr. 11, " 

do. 2d enlistment, C 12 Sept. 12, '(io. Dec. 12, '(;:}. 



84 HISTORY OP PLAINFlfeLD. 

Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged. 

Henry Y. Town. C 4 N.Y.Ind. Bat. Oct. 18. '01. Oct. 17, '(54. 
Sherlock H. Lincoln, E 1 Cav. Dec. 9. " Nov. 14, 'f)2. 
Hosea L. Thayer, E " " 10. " July 21, "Oo. 

H. Dwig-ht Gloyd, C :51 Feb. 1, '(12. Jan. 31, " 

Wm. A. Hallock, K 2:5 Aug. 4. " 

do. 2d enlistment, " " Dec. 1, "<I3. July 20, '05. 

Lorenzo Streeter. Corp. H '-u Aug. 15.*t)2. Nov. 21, '03. 
Nelson W. Cook, " '" " '^ " Aug. 14, " 

Almon M. Warner, Lt., •• '' " '" " Aug. 28. '(i5. 

Fordyce A. Dyer, 2d Lt. F 46 Sept. 20, •" 

do. 2denlist'nt. 1st '• F2H.Art. '03. d. Oct.20,'04. 

Franklin Cook, F 40 Sept.26,02. d. June20,'63. 

Newcomb Dyer, " " " '' " July 29, " 

Chas. C. Gloyd, " " " " " 

do. 2d enlistment, A 2 H.Art. May 27, '03. Sept. 3, '0)5. 
J. Wesley Gurney. F 40 Sept. 2(5, '02. 

do. 2d enlistment, —2 H.Art. June 5, "03. Dec. 30, '03. 
Stephen Hay ward. Jr. Corp. F 40 Sept. 20, '02. July 29, " 
Samuel W. Jones, F 40 " " " '' " " 
Robert P. Loud, ' ** " 

do. 2d enlistment, A 2 H.Art. May 28, '03. Sept. 3, '05. 
Chas. S. Stetson, F 40 Sept. 20, '02. July 29, '03. 

Geo. W.King, " " " " " " *' " 

Clifford Packard. Corp.. '• •• '• " " " " " 
Josiah Rood, *' " '" " " d. " 10. ^• 

Theodore W. Shaw, " •" " " " '• 29, " 

Allen Smith, " " " " " 

do. 2d enlistment, — 2 H.Art. June 5, '03. Sept. 3. '05. 
Wm. Edwards Warner, F 40 Sept.20, 02. d. June 28,63. 

Alden H.Dyer, " "d. Jan.19, " 

Ira W. Hamlen, Corp., " " ^' " " July 29. " 



SOT>DIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELTJOX. 8o 

Co. and Reg't. Mustered in. Discharged. 

Justus W. Oiirney. F -to Sept. •<!(;. '('.2. 

do. 2(1 enlistment. — •■> H. Art. June 5. "C'^. Deserted. 

Oliver C. Burr. E W ( )c't. In.'C^. July 2'.),"ii3. 

Wm. W. Vanalstine, — 2 H. Art. Dec. 7. 'r,:^ Di(Ml 

Wm. J. Nash, D :U Meh. 1. 'r.4. Juup l!)."<i5. 

John C. Dean. F 2 H. Art. Aug. 25. '• " 2i;, •' 

Arthur W. Robinson, 

Winthrop B. Robinson, "' " " " " ''' 

m. L. Lucas, 
John Stewart. *' " 
G. H.Taylor, Hos. Stew. Sept. 1. '• May 2:5. ■• 

The following persons were drafted and obtained sub- 
stitutes. 1S(J3. Nathan Barton. Joseph < ). Gloyd. Xahum 
S. Packard, Horatio A. Shaw. James A. Winslow. bsii-t, 
Stillman F. Dyer, Levi W. Gloyd. 

The following persons were drafted in l.sc.:!. and rejected. 
Henry W. Beals, Clias. C. Clark, Ansel B. Cole. Newell 
Dyer, 2d. Jeremiali T. Gardner, Geo. Richards. Thaddeus 
Rood. Sylvester Stetson. 

The following are the names of substitutes furuislied : 

Alfred Videtto. Tliaddeus Connors. Si)ringtield. 

Morris Bishop. Thos. Figges, Boston. 

Danford Glazier. Arthur Hitchcock. Charlemont. 

Milo Lucas. James Stanard. Guilford, Vt. 

Peter Taylor. 

The following Plaintield men were in the service but 
were credited t(^ some other town: 

Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged. 

Isaac S. Nash, D :U July;n,'(i2. June Hi, •f;5. 

Charles Gurney, E :5r Sept. 2. " kM. July 2,'t;:). 

Edw. F. HamIen,Sergt. I 52 Oct. 11. " Aug. 14. "• 



86 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged. 

Almorin S. Latham, D 4!» Sept. 10, " Sept. 1, 63. 
Sidney H. Latham. " " ...... .. .. .. 

James Wetherbee, C 10 June 21, '61, Dec. 21, " 
HaiTison Loud. I 57 Mch. 10.'64. d. Aug. 1,'64. 

The following now residing here, served to credit of 
other towns, as given below : 

Geo. W. Billings, Monson, E 10; June 21, "61; July 1, '64. 
Edwin A. Atkins, Sergt. 1 Conn. Cav. ; Dec. 0,'61 ; Dec— '64. 
Wm. H. Packard, Windsor, I 40; Nov. 10, '62; Sept. 1,'63. 
Shepard R. Dyer, Corp., Conway, C ol; Nov. 20, '(il: 

Sept. 9. '65. 
Onslow Taylor, Corp., Hawley, I 52; Oct. 11, '62; Aug. 

14, '63. 
Melvin Packard, Northampton, D 34; Jan. 4, '64; Jan. 20, '66. 
Leander J. Beals, Huntington, H. 37; Aug. 30, '62; April 

27, '63. 
Melville C. Butler, Buckland, K 60; July 22, '64; Dec. 3, '64. 
James W. Loud, F 22 Iowa; Aug. 14, '62; June 14, '65. 
Norman W. Stetson, Cheshire, I 49; Sept. 19, 62; Sept. 1,'63. 

Sept. 26, 1S(52, 18 men from Plainfield were mustered in, 
it being by far the largest number who enlisted at any 
one time. These were all members of Co. F 46 Mass. 
Only one man was killed while in service, Charles Gurney, 
son of Wm. Gurney, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Six died, 
from disease, viz. : Alden H. Dyer, son of Samuel Dyer, at 
Newbern, N. C, of typhoid fever, Jan. 19, 1863. His re- 
mains were brought to Plainfield for interment. — Frank- 
lin Cook, son of James Cook, died at Beaufort, N. C, 
June 20, 1863. — Wm. Edwards Warner, son of Wm. 
Warner, died at Newbern, N. C, June 28, 1863, of typhoid 
fever. — Josiah Rood died on shipboard, 24 hours out of 



PENSIONERS. <^7 

Boston harl)or, July 1(>, isi;;). of coiisuinption, and oxliaus- 
tion caused by sea-sickness. He was in poor health most 
of the time while in the army and was unable to do regular 
duty. His courage was good, however, and he embark- 
ed at Newbern, feeling that when he reatdied home his 
health would improve, but his strength gave out and he 
died as above stated. His body was brought home for in- 
terment. — Lieut. Fordyce A. Dyer, son of Albert Dyer, 
died at Newbern. N. C. of yellow fever, Oct. 2(i, LSlil. 
He was detailed as City Inspector during the prevalence 
of the yellow fever and fell a victim of this terrible disease. 
His remains were subsequently brought home for inter- 
ment. — H. Harrison Loud, son of James Loud, died 
Aug. 1. 1S(;4. of ty})hoid dysentery, at Chestnut Hill hos- 
])ital, Philadel})hia, and was l)rought home for burial. — 
Wm. W. Vanalstine (colored) is reported as dying in the 
service, but the Adjutant General's rolls give no particu- 
lars. 

PENSIONERS. 

The following named veterans, now residing here, are 
in receii)t of i)ensions: 

Edwin A. Atkins, 84 ])er mo. Wm. H. Packard, -SO per mo. 
Leander J. Beals, $cS " " Melvin Packard, $10 " 
Nelson W. Cook, $8 " '^ Onslow Taylor, $U '' " 
Norman W. Stetson, 8S per mo. 
Mrs. Mary A. Dunning, widowed mother of Samuel J. 
Dunning, draws a pensi(jn of $l"-i i)er month, and Mrs. 
Susan E. Taylor, widow of Dr. G. H. Taylor, ^S per 
nionth, 



88 HISTORY OF PLAIXFIELD. 

G. A. R. POST. 

Mountain Miller Post No. 198, G. A. R.. was organized 
here in KS<S!». It consists of 22 members. The officers for 
1891 are as follows : 

Commander, E. A. Atkins. 

Senior Vice Com.. Onslow Taylor. 

Junior " " Geo, W. King. 

Adjutant, Nelson W. Cook. 

Quartermaster, J. W. Loud. 

Chaplain, A. N. Hubbard, Windsor, 

Officer of the Day, Shepard R. Dyer. 
" Guard, L. J. Beals. 

Sergeant Mcijor, Geo. W. Billings. 

Q. M. Sergeant, Wells P. Taylor, Ashfield. 

Surgeon, M. C. Butler. 

^ T -D ( John Campbell, Savoy. 

Color Bearers. ^ n^^.,,,^,, ^^ g^etson. ^ 

It is believed that this post covers the largest area of 
any in the state, it having members from seven different 
towns and three counties. Capt. Edward F. Hamlen, chief 
clerk of the Executive Department (jf the State, who re- 
sides here a portion of the summer, is a member of this 
Post. 



CHAPTER XI. 

College Graduates and Professional Men. 

[The writer is indebted to an article in the Hampshire County Gazetteer 
from the pen of the Rev. Solomon Clark, for much of the material for this 
chapter. ] 

LAWYERS. 

Cyrus Joy, sou of Jacob, graduated at Williams College 
iulSll. Studied law and practiced in Northampton, af- 
terwards in tliis town. Removed to Phibulelphia, where 
he deceased a few years since. 

Hosea F. Stockwell, lived forty years at the West, hav- 
ing an extensive i)ractice in New Philadelphia, (). 

Elisha Bassett, son of Thomas, for half a century con- 
nected with the U. S. District Court at Boston. 

Alden B. Vining graduated at Williams College in ISi'-). 
Located in Bridgeport, Conn. Died in New Haven. 

Erastus N. Bates graduated at Williams College in 185:), 
studied law, but his health did not allow him to pursue its 
practice. Has been twice, at least, State Treasurer of 
Illinois. 

E. Livingstone Lincoln, son of Isaac K., graduated at 
Willams College in 185:5. Admitted to the bar in 1858. 
Died in Westfield, Mass., in 185!». 

Almon M. Warner, son of James, is now in practice at 
Cincinnati, O. 

(89) 



90 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 




CHAS. DUDLEY WARNER. 



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HIS BIRTHPLACE. 



EDITORS. PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 91 

EDITORS AND LITERARY PERSONS. 

Gerard Hallock (see genealogical liistory of Hallock 
family.) 

Charles Dudley Warner, son of Jnstus Warner, was 
born Sept. l"-^, IS-^!), on the homestead where the late 
Francis W. Joy lived, a mile north of the village. He 
graduated at Hamilton College in 1851. Is well known as 
an author and is one of the editors of the Hartford Conr- 
ant. The engraving of his birth X)lace is from a photo- 
graph, and shows it as it now appears. 

Mrs. Fidelia Cook, daughter of Stephen Hayward. for 
some time superintended the literary department of the 
Springfield Republican. 

Mrs. Martha J. Lamb (see genealogical history of Jacol) 
Nash family.) 

PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 

James Hayward, Jr., graduated at Harvard in isi!). 
Was tutor there. Afterwards professor of mathematics 
and natural philoso]diy. Published " Elements of Ge- 
ometry." 

Isaac Newton Lincoln graduated at Williams in 18-17. 
Was professor of Latin and French at that college for nine 
years. Died in is*;-^. 

Tilly Brown Hayward, son of Capt. James, ])orn April 
2, 1797. Graduated at Harvard in 182(». Was for many 
years a teacher. Later a preacher in the Swedenborgian 
denomination. 

Alden Porter Beals, son of Dea. Robert, graduated at 
Williams in 1849. High .school teacher for more than 30 
years, much of the time at Stamford, Conn., where he 
deceased a few years since. 



93 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Francis Torrey. superintendent of schools in Newark. 
N. J., (see genealogical history of Josiah Torrey family.) 

Charles Lyman Shaw, son of Dr. Samuel, graduated at 
Williams in 1864. Has for many years taught a classical 
school at Astoria, N. Y. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Samuel Shaw. (See Chap. IX.) 

Dana Shaw. (See genealogical history of Josiah Shaw 
family. ) 

Washington Shaw, nephew of above. Settled in Wil- 
liamsburg, Mass. 

Joseph Richards, a brother of the missionaries, long a 
physician in Hillsdale, N. Y. 

Chilion Packard, in early life went South. 

Seth H. Pratt, went West many years ago. 

Newell White, still living in Pennsylvania. 

Royal Joy, studied with Dr. Samuel Shaw and settled in 
Cummington. 

Francis Pratt, a practicing |)hysician in Ohio. 

Newton Robinson, also a physician in the same state. 

James F. Richards, son of Jason, a physician in Ando- 
ver, Mass. 

Lewis Whiting, deceased a few years since in Saratoga, 
N. Y. 

J. Emerson Warner, son of James, now practicing in 
Sterling, Va. 

Daniel E. Thayer, a physician at Adams, Mass. 

Dr. Shepard L. Hamlen was a dentist in Cincinnati, O. 

Dr. Joseph Beals, a long time dentist in Greenfield, Mass. 

Geo. Biirt, a dentist in Springfield, Mass. 

Samuel Francis Shaw, son of Dr. Samuel, was born at 



PHYSICIANS. Ol) 

Plaintield. Se{)t. 7. 1^:V.]. He was titted for college at the 
Northampton Collegiate Institute. Entered Williams Col- 
lege in 1852, and was graduated in 1855. After graduation 
he remained at home four years, studying medicine with 
his father and making collections of native plants and 
birds. He studied medicine at the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York, graduating in ISi;-^. A few 
months later he entered the navy as assistant surgeon. 
During his service of nineteen years he made many long- 
voyages, visiting the West Indies, the Azores, Peru, Sitka, 
China, Japan and Siberia. He married Oct. '^7, 1S77, Ade- 
laide Roberts, daughter of Edward Rol)erts, Esc}.. of Phila- 
delphia, and sister of the well-knowm artist. How^ard Rob- 
erts, whose statue of Fulton is in the Capitol at Washing- 
ton. After spending a year with his wife in traveling 
through Europe, he resigned his surgeon's commission and 
settled in Philadel])hia. He died at his home 1IK)!» Walnut 
St., Dec. 7, 1HS4:. Dr. Shaw w^as a man of connnanding 
presence. His tall and well j)roportioned figure, over six 
feet in height, together witli a handsome face which was 
lighted up by a pair of blue eyes of unusual softness and 
beauty, attracted universal attention. While his great 
dignity of character inspired respect, his unselfishness won 
the aflfection of all who knew him. 

Dr. Marcus Whitman, noted as a missionary, pliysician 
and surgeon for more than ten years in Oregon, also for 
the long, tedious journey which he made across the Rocky 
Mountains in mid-winter to Washington, D. C, when 
Daniel Webster was Secretary of State, spent many of his 
boyhood days in Plaintield, living until early manhood 
with Col. John Packard, whose home w^as the same now 
occupied by Albert N. Gurney. He attended the school 



94 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELb. 

of Rev. Moses Hallock, wliicli perhaps had inueh to do 
with shaping his sul)seqiient career. Having graduated 
at the Pittsfiekl medical schocjl, he became in 1835 a mis- 
sionary of tlie American Boar(L The next year in compa- 
ny with Rev. H. H. Spauhling, they with their wives cross- 
ed the Rocky Mcnintains and h)cated in Oregon. Visiting 
as surgeon the various forts of the Hudson Bay Co., Dr. 
Whitman became convinced that the plan of that company 
was to secure that vast territory with all its wealth and 
resources for Great Britain. To make the story brief, he 
started to cross the continent in mid-winter, reaching Mis- 
souri in February, 1843, frost bitten and exhausted. Here 
he engaged to pilot a colony in the spring to the Columbia 
River, contradicting the reports that wagons could not 
cross the mountains. Hurrying on to Washington he 
called on Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, and 
also on President Tyler, affirming that wagons and emi- 
grants could cross the mountains, which they were loth to 
believe. Webster said, " I am about trading that ivorfh- 
less territory for some valuable concessions in relation to 
the Newfoundland cod-fisheries." Dr. Whitman replied 
with earnestness, " I hope you will not do it, sir. We want 
that valuable territory ourselves." The president finally 
said : " Dr. Whitman, since you are a missionary, I will 
believe you, and if you take your emigrants over there on 
your return, as you propose, the treaty will not be ratified" 
In March he was back in Missouri and led a thousand emi- 
grants to Fort Hall. Here the commander of the fort, in 
the service of the Hudson Bay Co., offered to give them 
pack horses in exchange for their wagons, declaring that 
they could not cross the mountains with them. This offer 
was refused, and after a long but successful journey, he 



MINISTEKS. 1)5 

and his soo cmigraiits, witli tlieir wagons, cnievgcd on the 
])lai?is of the Columl)ia River Sept. 4, 1S4.'). Tlie treaty 
was not sig"ne(L Oregon and the Nortliern PaeiHc coast 
were saved to tlie United States l)y the heroism, energy 
and zeal of this noble man. 

MINISTERS. 

Jephthah Pool, many years ago a i)astor in Windsor, 
Mass. 

James and William Richards, foreign missionaries. (See 
genealogical history of James Richards family.) 

Wm. A. Hallock. (See Hallock family.) 

Erastns Dickinson, son of Ebenezer, horn April 1. 1S()7. 
Graduated at Amherst, 1832. 

Austin Richards, D. D., V)rother of the missionaries. 

David Rood, horn in Buckland, Mass., April 25, 1818. 
Removed with his parents to Plaintield in 1824. Gradu- 
ated at Williams College in 1844, and at what is now Hart- 
ford theological seminary in 1847. Married Miss A. V. 
Pixley, sister of Stephen Pixley, ( )ct. '■]. 1847, was ordained, 
and they sailed for Natal, So. Africa, the same month, as 
missionaries of the American Board to the Zulus. In 18(;0 
they visited the old home, and in 1888, after 40 years of 
faitliful service, they returned to the United States and 
settled at Covert, Micdi., near Mr. Rood's l)rotliers. He 
deceased from a paralytic shock, April 8, 18!)1. His name 
will stand and endure with the names of Moffat and Liv- 
ingstone. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, 
from henceforth. Yea, saitii the Spirit, that they may 
rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." 

Stephen C. Pixley, born June 23, 182!). Educated for 
the ministry. Graduated at Williams in 1852, and at East 



96 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Windsor Hill (Conn.) Theological Seminary in 1S55. Mar- 
ried Louisa Healy of Chesterfield in 1S55. Was ordained 
at Plainfield the same year, ami entered the service of the 
American Board as a missionary. His field of lahor was 
among the Zulus with David Rood, with which mission he 
is still connected. He visited the United States and his old 
home a few years since. 

Isaac Newton Lincoln, before mentioned, professor in 
Williams College. 

Spencer O. Dyer, minister in the Methodist denomina- 
tion. 

James Clark and Thomas Thayer, Ixjth ministers in the 
Baptist denomination. 

William A. Hallock, -^d, and Leavitt H. Hallock. (See 
Hallock family.) 

Rev. Solomon Clark, a native of Northampton, born 
March 2, IMl 1. Pastor of the Plainfield church and closely 
identitied with the interests of the peoi)le for over 38 years. 
He came here from Canton, Mass., in Jan. ISoS. Married 
for his second wife, Mrs. Lucy E. Gilbert, widow of W. C. 
Gilbert, Oct. 5, 1858. They have one daughter, Elizabeth 
Richards, born Oct. 5, 1850. Married Wm. H. Gardiner, 
July 2ti, 1880. Now reside in Chicago. Mr. Clark in ad- 
dition to his pastoral duties, has written and published a 
history of Northam])ton and its old families, in which line 
he particularly excels. It is considered a valuable work. 
He is now engaged in preparing a history of the First 
Churcli in Northampton, and its members. 

DAVID SHAW. 

Although he was not a professional man, the author 
feels that this work would be incomplete without at least 
a brief mention. He was the son of Nehemiah Shaw, 



DAVID SHAW. !)t 

Was boni Juiu! 15, 1704, being tJio oldest of a family of six- 
teen children. His parents lived in a house which stood 
opposite the north cemetery on lot now owned by J, N. 
Benjamin. His opportunities for obtaining an education 
were exceedingly limited. He attended school very little, 
if any, but nevertheless managed to obtain a much better 
than ordinary education. Was well versed in the higher 
l)ranches of arithmetic and in his calculations used no 
rules laid down in the text books, but worked after rules 
of his own devising. Was an excellent and accurate sur- 
veyor. He was in the strictest sense a self-educated man. 
Possessed of great mechanical skill, he invented several 
useful instruments, which displayed great nicety of work- 
manshi}), among them a seed-sower and an od(jmeter, an 
instrument to be attatched to a wheel for measuring dis- 
tances. He married Elizal)eth Randall, and lived for a 
time in Cumniingt(jn, but returned to Plainfield, and in 
1S42 built the house just west of the meeting-house, since 
occupied by himself and his son Horatio. His principal 
business for many years, particularly toward the latter 
part of his life, was repairing watches and clocks, in which 
business he had a great local reputation. Until a few 
months before his death, his form was as erect, his eye as 
bright, his step as nimble, and his hand as steady as a man 
of forty. He deceased Oct. (J, 1884, in his 91st year. 

J. T. KIRKLAND HAYWARD. 

Son of Stephen Hay ward. Left town when a youno- 
man. Became interested in railroads. At the time of the 
late civil war was president of the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
Mo. railroad. The ])eople of Missouri were quite evenly 
divided in sentinu^nt ])etween the Union and rel)el cause. 
7 



!»H HISTOiiY OP^ PLAlNFidLd. 

Mr. Hayward was a strong Union man, and rendered siit^- 
stantial aid to the cause. On this account, as well as a 
|:>reparatory step toward gaining possession of the H. & 
St, Jo. R. R. , several prominent rebels made an attempt to 
kidnap him. They took him into custody one night, and 
all entered an empty box-car. Mr. Hay ward, who had not 
been bound, managed in some way to slip out of the door, 
which he slammed together and locked, thus completely 
turning the tables on his would-be captors. They were of 
course unable to escape. Mr. Hay ward at once ordered an 
engine to be attached to the car, and it was with its in- 
mates taken to the eastern part of the state, where they 
were delivered up to the Federal authorities. 



CHAPTER Xli. 

Census.— Valuation. — List op Votehs.— Political Parties.— CAMPAifilf of Isio 
Bits from the Old Records.— Incidents and Reminiscences. — Fires. 

The followin,^' figures sliow tlie p()})ul;iti()n of tlie town 
for tlie last liuiulred years: 

1700—4:58. 1840— !ll(). 1870—521. 

1800—797. 1850—814. 1875—481. 

1810—977. 1855-652. 1880—457. 

1820-9:30. 1800-639. 1885-45:5. 

18:30—984. 1805—579. 1 s:H)— 4:30. 

Tlie deatlis in the last decade ()iitnuni])ei" tlie l)ii'ths l)y 
:37. This shows that 10 more have moved into town than 
have removed from town in that time. The writer is of 
the opinion that the poi)ulatioii has reached its lowest 
figures and that the next census will show an increase from 
the last. 

The following is from the Assessors' books for 1800: 

No. of residents assessed on proi)erty, 100 

*' " non-residents "••'•' ^i 

" " Polls " 147 

Assessed value of personal estate, $ :37,880 

" " " land, 70,000 

" " " buildings, 38,525 

Total assessed valuation, $152,405 

Tax rate per $1,000, $16 

(99) 



100 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 



Acres of liiiid assessed. 12.71)5 

No. of (Iwelliii^-liouses, lli; 

No. of horses, 14.S— Cows, 440— Sheep, 300— Neat cattle 
other tlian cows, 302 — Swine, 12)}. 



LIST OF VOTERS. MARCH 2. ISOl. 



Atkins, Edwin A. 
Benjamin, James N. 
Barton, Henry S. 
Barton, Nathan 
Barton, Geo. N. 
Burt, Sumner 
Burt, Edmund 
Burt, Chas. R. 
Burt, Orsamus C. 
Barker, Isaac T. 
Beals. H. Harrison 
Beals, Henry W. 
Beals, Fred W. 
Beals, Leander J. 
Blanchard, Oliver 
Blanchard, Geo. A. 
Bogart. Mandeville 
Bogart, John 
Billings, Geo. W. 
Butler, Melville C. 
Campbell, Leonard 
Cole, Ansel B. 
Cole, Arthur T. 
Cole, Fred S. 
Cook, John F. 



Ase. 




A-re. 


58 


Cook, Nelson W. 


50 


51 


Cook, Homer 


50 


on 


Clark, Levi 


88 


55 


Clark, Chas. C. 


54 


27 


Clark, Seth W. 


57 


75 


Clark, Fred D. 


31 


35 


Clark, Henry D. 


25 


45 


Colburn, Mill son S. 


83 


21 


Cleveland, Wm. M. 


72 


82 


Cudworth, Paul H. 


68 


50 


Cudworth, Frank B. 


34 




Dunham, Warren I. 


40 


28 


Dunham, Chas. F. 


32 


57 


Dyer, Wm. H. 


04 


50 


Dyer, Chas. N. 


41 




Dyer, Shepard R. 


50 


50 


Dyer, Elwin F. 


38 


20 


Gardner, Apollos H. 


01 


48 


Gardner, Jason W. 


00 


54 


Gardner, Jeremiah T. 


, 58 


70 


Gardner, Ira J. 


27 


57 


Gardner, Nelson W. 


25 


30 


Gardner, Eugene H. 


30 


21 


Gloyd, Bethuel 


81 


55 


Gloyd, Levi W. 


57 



Gloyd, Jose])li O. 
Gloyd, Edwin S. 
Griggs, Amos K. 
Gui'iiey, James F. 
GiiriiQy, Albert N. 
Gould, Daniel H. 
Gould, Clark F. 
Harris, Geo. E. 
Harris, Daniel 
Harris, James P. 
Holden, Chas. N. 
Holden, Frank A. 
Howes, Mark E. 
Ingraliam, Frank C. 
Jones. William 
Joy, Lorenzo W. 
King, Geo. W. 
Kinney, Edwin R. 
Kinney, Tlieron E. 
Loud, James W. 
Mason, Ira 
Mason, Tlios. G. 
Mason, Lemuel 
Mason, Ezra H. 
Mason, Edward W. 
McCloud, Edward L 
Nasli, James A. 
Packard, David 
Packard, Sylvester 
Packard, Wm. H. 
Packard, Lutlier W. 



OTERS. 
Age. 


MARCH 2. lS!n. 


101 

Asp. 


41 » 


Packard, H. Clark 


50 


2i 


Packard, Harold S. 


30 


73 


Packard, Henry C. 


24 


45 


Packard, Cyrus W. 


38 


43 


Packard, B. Franklin 


32 


51 


Parker, Eugene L. 


45 


25 


Parsons, Stephen 


50 


50 


Richmond. Austin L. 


C.l 


5'^ 


Richmond, Albert F. 


22 


28 


Rice, Frederic M. 


2(; 


43 


Sears, Josei)h W. 


3!) 


34 


Sears. Samuel H. 


3*; 


40 


Shaw, Horatio A. 


fJO 


•-38 


Shaw. Willie E. 


34 


58 


Streeter, Lester E. 


3!t 


58 


Streeter, Alden E. 


21) 


58 


Starks, Wilbur J. 


27 


(-.7 


Stetson, Marshall 


47 


38 


Stetson, Nelson B. 


25 


5(5 


Stetson. Grren M. 


23 


70 


Stetson, Sylvester R. 


5i» 




Smith, Clark 


0(i 


51 


Taylor, Onslow 


52 


45 


Taylor, Henry E. 


2(i 


33 


Taylor, Frank G. 


31 


•Z\} 


Thatcher, Eugene 


33 


53 


Thayer, Fred T. 


32 


71 


Thayer, Lester D. 


28 


(i5 


Thayer, Lyman K. 


7!t 


ChS 


Thayer, Frank L. 


4(i 


35 


Thayer. Amasa W. 





102 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Thayer, Samuel B. 74 White, Liician A. 39 

Tirrell, Almou B. 31 Whiting, Wm. C. 77 

Tirrell, Russell 76 Wheeler, Thos. K. 78 

Tirrell, Arthur R. 37 Wheeler, Norman 32 

Tirrell, Orren 68 Willcutt. William 55 

Tyrrell, Jeremiah J. 83 Willcutt, Geo. L, 33 

Torrey, Merritt 65 Willcutt, Horace 63 

Torrey, Alden L. 30 Winslow, William 78 

Torrey, E Iwin T. 69 Winslow, James A. 51 

Torrey, Geo. A. 30 

Whole number, 131. 

The following persons are eligible, or soon will be, to 
register as voters, but have not done so : Clias. L. Alex- 
ander, Henri H. Fenton, Wm. H. Leete, Newton K. Lin- 
coln, Eugene F. Parke]-, Clark W, Streeter, Lyndon 
Wheeler, Rev. John A. Woodhull, 

POLITICAL PARTIES. 

Plainfield, like most of the Western Hampshire towns, 
ever since the formation of the present prominent political 
parties, has been strongly Republican. At the last Presi- 
dential election, 94 Republican votes were cast, 15 Demo- 
cratic and 3 Prohibition. Chas. C. Clark is the present 
chairman of the Republican town committee and Wm. M. 
Cleveland of the Democratic. The Prohibitionists as yet 
have no town organization. Probably at no time in the 
history of the town or of the nation has political ex- 
citement run so high as in the Presidential campaign 
of 1840, when Martin Van Buren and Richard M, 
Johnson, Wm. Henry Harrison and John Tyler were 
the opposing candidates for President and Vice Pres- 
ident. Several mass meetino^s were held in Painfield that 



BITS FROM THE OLD RECORDS. 10:5 

fall, at which speeches were made and songs sung in 
the interest of the favorite candidates. Harrison and Ty- 
ler. "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," " Log cabin and hard 
cider," were the war cries of the whigs. On one of tliese 
occasions, a wagon '.]() feet in length, specially constructed 
for the purpose, containing OO ])ersons, and drawn l)y thir- 
teen yoke of oxen, driven l)y Russell Tirrell and others, 
came down from " Hallockville." It required no little 
skill to engineer the cumberous and lengthy vehicle around 
the numerous curves, l)ut it was safely d(jne, in spite of 
many predictions to the contrary. The writer has in his 
possession a tattered banner which did service during that 
memorable campaign, bearing this iiiscription : "Plain- 
field Whigs, True to Liberty and the Constitution. Nov. 
2 Tells the Story." On the reverse is inscribed " Martin 
and Dick, Hang up your fiddle. Tip and Tyler are com- 
ing." The vote of Plainfield that fall was as follows : For 
Harrison electors, ITii ; for Van Buren electc^rs, 27. 

BITS FROM THE OLD RECORDS. 

March 10, 17S!>, "Voted that the log-house Ichabod Pool 
put up on Doct. Solomon Bond's land, l)e made use of fov 
a pound for the District." An article was inserted in the 
warrant for annual town meeting for many years " To 
see if the town will allow horses and swine to goe at large 
the present year." It was usually voted that swine at 
least be allowed to go at large, if well yoked and ringed. 
April ;5, 1797, it was voted to build a stone pound 30 ft. 
S(|uare, the height and thickness of the walls being speci- 
fied, and that the contract be set up at vendue to the lowest 
l)idder. Struck off t(j Oliver Robinson for $o7. For some 
reason he failed to build it. and March 12, I7'.»s, it was 



104 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

"Voted to Ijuild a wooden pound, thirty feet square, in 
tlie same manner that Cummington jMjund is built. To 
be built of hemlock timber by the first of July," This 
was built and used until 1807. April G, 1807, it was voted 
to rejiair the pound; then the vote was reconsidered, and 
a " committy," consisting of John Hamlen, Jacob Nash 
and Edward Curtis, was appointed to inspect the old pound 
and report whether it was worth repairing, and voted to 
adjourn "■ fourteen night," to await their decision. They 
reported it not worth repairing, so it was set up at vendue 
and struck off to Josiah Torrey for 80 cts. Then voted to 
build one of stone " on the north side of the road, about 
■40 rods west of Joel Carr's," This spot is a little north- 
west of Charles Dunham's, and part of the wall may still 
be seen. The south wall was to be 'Sw feet thick, the others 
3 feet, and to average six feet high, Tlie contract was 
awarded to Tinn^thy Packard for $39. 

Aug. -^0, 1789, " Voted that the District shall procure a 
Drum and fife for the use of the foot company of militia. 
Voted that Capt. John Cunningham shall purchase the 
above Drum and fife." 

June '^7, 1794, "Voted to make up the pay to the Sol- 
diers that may turn out to stand Ready to march at a min- 
ute's warning for the Defence of their Country, Seven 
Dollars per month with what is allowed by the Continent, 
exclusive of the Dollar and GO cents per month allowed for 
Cloathing and three Dollars Bounty, provided they are 
called upon to march." 

Sept. 9, 1800, '' Voted to make provision for the Train- 
ing soldiers at the General muster at Northampton. Voted 
that Lt. Jacob Allen, Mr. Elijah Warner, and Mr, Abel 
Warner be a committee to procure provision for the com- 



BITS FROM THE ()L1> KK(^()HI>S. \()r> 

l)aiiy. Voted that tlieiv be -.^5 lbs. Cliecsc. r.»(i lbs. Wlieat 
bread and KM) ll)s. ^Mutton ])r()vided for said (•<>ni])any. 
Voted to allow Mr. Abel Warner live sliillini;s U)V c-onwy- 
iiig and taking care of said j)ro\'isi()ii." 

Oct. b5, iritS. •' A'oted tliat Elijah Warn<"rl)e directed to 
collect tiax siifldcient to pnndiase the toAvn sto(d< of h il." 

It a])pears that the persons named ])elow in this certili- 
cate had been concerned in *' Shay's Rebellion."' 

" A List of the several persons belonging to Plainlield 
who took and subsci-ibed the Oath of Allegiance before 
Sainnel ]\lather. Es(j[., January. 17S7. viz.: 

Closes Curtis, Stephen Steth, Isaac Joy, Solomon Nash. 
Tol)ias Green, Salmon Fay. N. B. No arms were return- 
ed to me. S. Mather, Juslicy Peace.'" 

Ai)ril v\ IT'.'S, '* Voted to procure a half Bushel and 
peck measure. Voted that a set of Brass AVeights be pro- 
cured to four i)ounds. " 

April r, 1704, "Voted that Samuel Streeter be Sexton 
the present year. Sd. Streeter is to Rt'ceixe for his Trouble 
in taking care of the meeting-house, sweeping the Alleys 
once a. montli, and the Seats and Pews once in three 
months. Eight shillings. 

INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES. 

Not long after the erection of the nu'cting-houst^ belfry, 
as some boys were })hiying arouiul the meeting-liouse, one 
of them. Comfort Bea-ls by name, threw up a. stone which 
struck the ctxdc whi(di was [)lac'e(l on the summit of the 
spire as a weather vane and bent his tail feathers. His 
comrades told him that he would be ])ut to death, which it 
is ])resunu'd he actually believed, unless he went u]> a-iul 
straightened them. In this dilemma, he (dimbed up by 



100 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

tlie lightning rod as far as tlie bell, where he rested awhile, 
and then ascended to the vane. After restoring the tail to 
its proper position, he descended, without meeting with 
any accident. Years afterward, his son, Levi, when the 
old meeting-house was about to be torn down, ''for and 
in consideration of the sum of fifty cents to him in hand 
paid," ascended to the vane from the bell deck in the same 
way, removed it, and brought it down in safety. This 
vane was placed on Wm. Rol)inson"s barn, where it did 
service until a few years since. 

In June, 1839, as Capt. Levi Cook was engaged in 
shoeing a yoke of oxen, one of the animals being fast- 
ened by a chain to a staple, in attempting to extricate 
himself, j)ulled out the staple, and in doing this threw 
the chain round the man's legs, the hook catching with 
what is known as a " log hitch." The ox then took the 
road, and ran for about half a mile, dragging the unfor- 
tunate man after him. He was finally stopj)ed by a boy. 
The Captain retained his faculties sufficiently to raise him- 
self up, throw oif the chain, give .the ox a Scotch bless- 
ing, and invite him to proceed to a locality which we 
will not now name, and then fainted. He was severely 
bruised, and if his body had not been somewhat protect- 
ed by his leather apron which dragged under him, his 
injuries would have been much more severe. He recov- 
ered after a tedious confinement. The shop where he 
was at work was the one that stood in the upper part of 
the village, nearly opposite where J. W. Sears now lives. 
The ox was stopped near the site of the Bates house, mid- 
way between the village and A. B. Cole's. The writer 
remembers Capt. Cook as being somewhat peculiar, quite 
nervous and excitable, but withal a good neighbor and 



INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES. 107 

a kiud-liearted man. He was for many years tlie village 
sexton, ringing the bell at noon and !) P. M. as regular 
as tlie sun. He also had the care of the meeting-house 
and rung the bell for Sunday services. About the time 
of the dismission of Rev. D. B. Bradford, the cliurch and 
parish were divided on the subject, some being in favor 
of his dismissal and others opposed. One Sunday noon, 
the Captain, who was a warm friend of Mr. Bradford, 
while in the entry ringing the bell for the afternoon ser- 
vice, became involved in a somewhat heated discussion 
on the subject with some of the bystanders, in which he 
claimed that Mr. Bradford had been mis-used. Just then 
Mr. Bradford entered the porch, and overhearing a little 
of tlie conversation, said, *' Why, Captain, you're getting 
ed-cifed are you not?"' "Excited?" re|)lied the old man 
in his thin, high-keyed voice, "' No I I aint excited, \mt 
I'm iiKul as the devil." The Captain was a descendant of 
Francis Cook, who came over in the Mayflower, the de- 
scent being traced as follows : Francis, Jacob, Francis, 
Robert, Nathaniel, Levi and Levi, Jr. He was born in 
Abington, Mass., Feb. 14, 17S:5. Died Dec. 1!), 18G8. 

Al)()ut the year 1S5!), as William Warner's barn was 
being "launched," being drawn by two lines of oxen, 
assisted by a company of men, with the intention of 
placing it on a new site, it suddenly, without any warn- 
ing, fell in a promiscuous heap. Strange as it may ap- 
pear, none of the men or oxen were injured. 

FIRES. 

The following is a list of fires that have occurred in 
town. Probably all are not included : Joseph Beals' 
house was l)urnt February, 17S'J. Early in 1 SI I» the house 



lO.S HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

of Boiij. Gardner, Jr. and Warren Gardner. April 2^, 
1<S24, Ira Hamlen's liouse, including a liat mannfactory. 
February, lS-^5, the woolen factory of Arnold & Naliuni 
Streeter. Dec. I'-i, 1<S;3.'], the house of Stallhani Rice, with 
all its contents, the family heing absent. Dr. Porter, 
writing in IS-'M, says: " F(nir school-houses have been 
destroyed by tire, the last on Dec. 3, 1833. Two of these 
were in the northeast district. There have also been burnt 
four mechanics' sho])S and a small distillery. "' March 28, 
1835, the house of Bela Dyer, where John F. Cook's 
liouse now stands, was burned. Mrs. Dyer was frying 
doughnuts, and the fat taking hre, ignited flax which was 
spread overhead, the house Ijeing unfinished. The liouse 
and barn of Rev. A. H. Sweet, which stood where the 
h(mse of the late Mrs. Frances P. Clark now stands, were 
burned one Sunday evening in August, 1858. It was set 
in the barn by liis son, then a small boy, while playing 
with matches. Probably a hundred people were there 
within ten or fifteen minutes after the fire broke out, it 
being about five o'clock, and many Avere on their way to 
evening service, it being a time of special religious inter- 
est. Nearly everything was saved from the buildings, 
including doors and windows, and had any proper ap- 
paratus been at hand, the liouse could ])robably have 
been saved, as a large tank of water holding many barrels 
was near. There was no insurance. — Geo. Vining had a 
barn burned one summer night, said to have been struck 
by lightning. Later, about 1860, his house and another 
barn were l)urned at different times. Cause of fire un- 
known. Fully insured. Not far from this time, an un- 
occupied house in tiie north part of the town, known as 
the " Livermore " house, owned by Leoiuird Joy. was 



FIRES. l(»!t 

huriuMl. Mr. Joy luul kindled a tire in tlie tive-])lac(' wlnlc 
making some repairs on tlie intericn- of tlio l)nil(liiig, the 
weatlier being cold, and while absent at a neighbors on 
some errand, the honse took fire and was consumed. Feb. 
2'2. bsci. the honse of S. H. Lincoln was l)nrned: sni)i)osed 
to have taken from a defective chimney. Insured for 
$700. Consideral)le clothing and furniture were destroy- 
ed. Mr. Lincoln owned an old house on the 0])])Osite side 
of the road, which he repaired and occu])ied. — About 
twenty years since, the old house formerly occupied by 
the late Samuel Davison, cauglit fire from a. bui'uing 
brush heap. The house was unoccupied. Loss small. — 
Francis W. Joy's carpenter's shop was burned in the 
spring of ISCo. — A few years later Thomas Wheeler's barn 
was struck l)y lightning and destroyed. — The woolen fac- 
tory of S. C. Streeter was burned in ISTH. The loss of 
contents was nearly total. No insurance. — Ezra Tyrrell's 
house, occu2)ied by Levi Blanchard, was Imrned in isso. 
Sui)posed to have taken fire from a defective flue. — April 
4, LSSG. the house of Roswell Davison was l)urned. The 
chimney took fire in the morning and Inirned out, and 
being watched through the day was sui)posed to l)e all 
saf(\ though still hot at evening. During the night the 
fire broke out, and the house was consumed with most of 
its contents. Mr. Davison was quite ill at the time and 
unable to render much assistance. It was nearly burned 
down before any helj) arrived. Mrs. Davison and her 
daughter carried out some articles, but most of the cloth- 
ing and bedding removed caught fire and were burned. 
In.surance $400. — March 1'2, bsso. the l)arns and carriage- 
house of Clark Smith, occu])ied by his son. Wm. C. Smith, 
took fire from a heatei- used to warm water for the cattle, 



110 HISTORY OF PLAINPiELl). 

situated in the extreme south end of a connecting shed, 
and were 'consumed, together with six young cattle and 
several hogs. Most of the farming tools were saved. The 
house was in great danger and was saved only l)y the most 
persistent efforts . The contents were removed, it being- 
doubtful whether it could be saved. A large quantity of 
ice packed for creamery use, (but not covered) between 
the house and the burning building, was of great assistance 
in saving the house, the men being able to stand under its 
shelter at the most critical time, when the fire was nearest, 
and throw water on the house with small force pumps. 
No insurance on buildings or contents. The roofs of Rev. 
Solomon Clark's buildings on the opposite side of the road, 
repeatedly took fire, but were extinguished. — The saw-mill 
of Geo. W, Billings, with all its contents, were burned on 
the night of April 18, 1890. They had been l)lasting logs 
for fuel, in the mill yard, during the day, and it is thought 
that fire might in some way have been communicated to 
the sawdust in or near the mill. No insurance. The mill 
has been rebuilt, Mr. Billings being aided in it somewhat 
by the town's people. — Sept. 18, 1890, the barns of W. E. 
Shaw were consumed with some sixty or more tons of hay. 
Insurance on barns, $500; on hay, $500. The cause ^f the 
fire is unknown. These barns were on the place formerly 
occupied by the late William Warner. — The blacksmith 
shop of J. & E. Spearman took fire on the roof in June, 
1878, but was barely saved from destruction by great exer- 
tions on the part of the citizens. — July 4, 1888, J. W. 
Sears' house took fire on the roof. Fortunately it was 
about dinner time and most of the neighbors were at home, 
and rallied so quickly that the fire was extinguished before 
great damage was done. The Insurance company awarded 



WkEH. 1 1 1 

him $fM). Tlio town lias no a])])ai'atns for extini;iiishino^ 
fires. A lar^-o public cistern holding many barrels of wa- 
ter, and kept filled by a never-failing stream, was placed 
near Mack's store, at least 50 years ago, and is still ke])t 
up. A similar one was placed near the Town Hall in is'.io. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Persons Now Living Here Over 75. — Foreigners. — Old Houses. — General Type. 
— Original Dwellings Now Standing. — Sinchng Schools.- -" The Old Village 
Choir."— Dramatic Club.— " Saddle the Dog.s."— Contrast. 



Names and ages of per 
Marcli U, 1891 : 
Mrs. Temperance Atkins, 
Isaac T. Barker, 
Sumner Bnrt, 
Leonard Campljell, 
Mrs. L. Campbell, 
Levi Clark, 
Mrs. Levi Clark, 
Mrs. Susan Cook, 
Millson S. Colburn. 
Mrs. Roxana Dunham, 
Bethuel Gloyd, 
Mrs. Martha Hamlen,* 
Mrs. Margaret Knipping, 



sons over 75, living in Plainfield 

02 Ira Mason, 7(i 

82 Isaac Parker, (about) 80 

75 James S]iearman, (al)out) S;} 

80 Hiram Stearns. 81 
7(i Lyman K. Thayer, 79 
88 Samuel B. Thayer, 75 
88 Russell Tirrell, 70 
88 Jeremiah Tyrrell, 83 
8;} Thos. K. Wheeler, 78 
77 Wm. C. Wliiting, 78 

81 Mrs. Nancy Williams. 83 
85 William Winslow, 78 
85 Emalvin Win"-, 83 



FOREIGNERS. 

Very few foreigners have become permanent residents 
of this town. James and Edward Spearman, Irish, and 
by trade blacksmiths, settled here about LSo-t. Neither 
were ever naturalized and therefore did not vote. They 
were industrious, respectable citizens, and amassed quite 



♦Mrs Hamlen died May 17, 1891. 



(112 



Old Housfis. 113 

a competence. Edw.-ird died in October, 18S7. James 
still lives here, his sister, Margaret Knipping, keeping 
house for him. — Neil Swanson, a Swede, came here with 
his family about 1888. His father and mother followed 
in 1890. Carl and Swan Petterson, relatives of Swanson, 
also arrived here about the same time as SwansDU. They 
are all industrious, peaceable citizens, most of them fairly 
well educated. The above named are all the foreigners 
now living in town. 

OLD HOUSES. 

V The first frame houses Iniilt were nearly all of the same 
style and general plan; one story in height, front door in 
center, opening into a small entry about 4x8. This opened 
on each side into a front room about IGxlG; each of these 
into a kitchen and general living room at the back of the 
house about 20xlG. At the gable end of the house, was a 
door oj^ening into an entry 4x0, at one side of which a 
flight of narrow and steep stairs ascended to the floor 
above. At the end of this entry, a door opened into the 
great kitchen. By the side of this entry door was the en- 
trance to the cellar; just beyond a door opened to a bed- 
room about 8x9. At the opx)Osite end of the room was a 
door opening to another bedroom somewhat larger, and by 
the side of it a "buttery" of ordinary size. A door from 
the back of the kitchen led to a back room or woodshed, 
in a separate building. In the center of the house was the 
capacious chimney, 8 or 10 feet square at the base, by the 
side of which were cupboards in each of the front rooms, 
and a big brick oven in the kitchen. A small closet usu- 
ally opened from the front entry. The windows were 
high above the floor, and those in the princi})al rooms con- 
8 



Il4 HISTORY OF PLAIKFIELD. 

tained 24 lights of (ix8 glass; those in the bedrooms and 
buttery, 15 lights. Two bedrooms with very low ceilings 
were usually finished off in the chamber. All the nails 
used were forged by hand and were quite expensive. This 
description fits nine out of ten of the first frame houses, 
many of which are still standing. Some have been re- 
modelled by taking out the original chimney and substi- 
tuting a modern one, changing the interior somewhat. 
Of those now remaining in nearly their original condition 
I will name the following : Thos. Mason's, in the southwest 
part of the town. Original occupant, Ashur Holdridge. 
Further north on West St., Lemuel Mason's, formerly oc- 
cupied by Samuel Thayer, Jr. In the east j^art, on Grant 
St., the Benj. Gloyd house, unoccupied. On South St., 
Bethuel Gloyd's, formerly occupied by his father, Joseph 
Gloyd. On Central St., just south of the village, the house 
occupied by the family of the late Lewis Shaw and L. A. 
White, formerly occupied by Josiah Shaw, Jr. This is 
in the best preservation of any of its class in town. Just 
south of this is the house built by Josiah first, where 
his son Freeman lived, but the large chimney has been 
removed. One fourth of a mile east of this, on Broom 
St., is that of O. C. Burt, also well preserved. Former 
occupant Jared Dyer. At the end of Parsons Av, is the 
house of Stephen Parsons, one of the oldest ; built and oc- 
cupied by Jacob Nash. South of the meeting-house, on 
Union St., is the house of James F. Gurney. This has 
been modernized somewhat by the addition of a piazza, 
and large windows have been substituted for the old style. 
The essential features remain, including the chimney. 
This was formerly occujned by Ichabod Noyes and others. 
The house of E. A. Atkins, on High St., was built and 



Old houses. 1i6 

occupied by John Hamleii. It was tlioroug-lily construct- 
ed of tlie best materials, and tlie workniansliip was better 
than ordinary. It is now in excellent condition. The 
Rev. Moses Hallock house, occupied l)y James Spearman. 
Mrs. Martha J. Lamb in an article in the Magazine of 
American History, writes of this house as follows: " A 
volume could be written with this picturesque old dwelling 
for a text, which even now looks very comfortable in its 
antiquity, surrounded by orchards and shade trees, although 
shorn of the roses and flowery shrubs which formerly beau- 
tified its front yard. If its walls could talk, a host of promi- 
nent characters who frequented it in the several decades of 
its history might be introduced to us. After Mr. Hallock's 
death it was sold, and became for many years the home of 
Mrs. Mack, a daughter of Dea. Richards, and her family." 
The house of L. K. Thayer on Pleasant St., built and oc- 
cupied by Abram Clark, is still in nearly its original con- 
dition. The house occupied by Samuel B. Thayer on South 
Central St., which Elijah Warner, Sr. built, and where he 
lived and died, and after him his sons Cushing and Wells. 
The Dea. James Richards house, still standing and in good 
condition, is occupied by A. B. Cole. The old chimney 
has been taken out and some minor alterations made in 
the interior. The house of C. W. Packard on West Hill, 
original occupant, Josiah Torrey. From this the chimney 
has been removed. The old Robinson house on Summit 
St., and N. K. Lincoln's on Pleasant St., are also of this 
type. The house of S. H. Sears just north of the meeting- 
house, was built and occupied by Samuel Streeter, and is 
believed to be the oldest house now standing. It was ex- 
tensively re-modelled by Cyrus Joy, Esq. , some sixty years 
ago. He added a second story, built four chimnies, and 



llf] History of plainpield. 

altered the interior so that scarcely any of the original 
features remain. These houses were all built from 00 to 
100 years ago, and as a rule were painted red. 
•i Charles Dudley Warner, in reply to an invitation to be 
present at the centennial of the Plainfield church in 1886, 
wrote as follows : "I was very young when I left Plain- 
field and I have only occasionally visited it of late years, 
but it has an interest for me that no other place on earth 
has. The older I grow the more grateful I am that I was 
born in Massachusetts and in that particular hill-town. 
I think I owe to its pure air, its noble scenery, the early 
purity and simx)licity of its manners and the influence of 
an honorable. God-fearing ancestry, the best that is in my 
life. I was baptized by the splendid old Puritan pastor of 
that day, Parson Hallock. He was in the best sense the 
conscience of the town. Scholar, minister, pastor, coun- 
selor, who can measure the influence of such a man on his 
generation! There is the old red house. I should advise 
everybody to be born in a red house such as that in which 
I was born, with its rows of fruit trees, its maple orchard, 
its sunny fields and the stone walls that speak as a fence 
of wood never can, of security and home." 

" From the weather-worn house on the brow of the hill, 
We are dwelling afar in our manhood today; 
But we see the old gables and hollyhocks still, 
As they looked long ago, ere we wandered away ; 
We can see the tall well-sweep that stands by the door 
And the sunshine that gleams on the old yellow floor. 

We can hear the low hum of the hard-working bees 

At tiieir toil in our father's old orchard once more, 

In the broad, trembling tops of the bright blooming trees, 

As they busily gather their sweet winter store; 

And the murmuring brook, — the delightful old horn, 

And the cawing black crows that are pulling the corn. 



OLD HOUSES. 117 

We can hear tbe sharp creak of the farm gate again 
And the loiid-t-ackling hens in the gray barn near by 
With its broad sagging floor and its scaffolds of grain, 
And its rafters, that once seemed to reach to the sky; 
We behold the great beams and the bottomless bay 
Where we farm boys once joyfully jumped on the hay. 

We can seethe low hog-pen, just over the way. 

And the long, ruined shed by the side of the road. 

Where the sleds in the summer were hidden away. 

And the wagons and plows in the winter were stowed; 

And the cider-mill down in the hollow below, 

With a long, creaking sweep, the old horse used to draw, 

Where we learned, by the homely old tub, long ago. 

What a world of sweet rapture there was in a straw ; 

Prom the cider casks there, loosely lying around. 

More leaked from the bung-holes than dripped on the ground. 

We behold the bleak hillsides still bristling with rocks. 
Where the mountain stream murmured with musical sound, 
Where we hunted and fi.shed, where we chased the red fox, 
With lazy old house dog or loud baying hound; 
And the cold, cheerless woods we delighted to tramp 
For the shy, whirring partridge, in snow to our knees, 
Where, with neck-yoke and pails, in the old sugar-camp 
We gathered the sap from the tall maple trees. 

And the fields where our plows danced a furious jig, 

While we w^earily followed the furrow all day, 

Whei'e we stumbled and bounded o'er boulders so big 

That it took three yoke of oxen to draw them away; 

Where we sowed, where we hoed, where we cradled and mowed, 

Where we scattered the swaths that were heavy with dew, 

Where we tumbled, we pitched, and behind the tall load, 

Tlie broken old bull-rake reluctantly drew. 

How we grasped the old sheepskin with feelings of scorn 

As we straddled the back oi the old sorrel mare. 

And rode up and down through the green rows of corn 

Like a pin on a clothes-line that sways in the air; 

We can hear our stern father reproving us still. 

As the careless old creature " comes down on a hill." 

We are far from the home of our boyhood to-day, 
In the battle of life we are struggling alone; 
The weather worn farmhouse has gone to decay. 
The chimney has fallen, its swallows have flown. 
But Fancy yet brings on her bright golden wings 
Her beautiful pictures again from the past, 
And Memory fondly and tenderly clings 
To pleasures and pastimes, too lovely to last. 



118 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

We wander again by the river today ; 

We sit in the school-room o'erflowing with fun, 

We whisper, we play, and we scamper away 

When our lessons are learned and the spelling is done. 

We see the old cellar where apples were kept, 
The garret, where all the old rubbish was thrown, 
The little back chamber where snugly we slept. 
The homely old kitchen, the broad hearth of stone. 
Where apples were roasted in many a row. 
Where our grandmothers nodded and knit long ago. 

Our grandmothers long have reposed in the tomb; 
With a strong, healthy race they have peojiled the land ; 
They worked with the spindle, they toiled at the loom. 
Nor lazily brought up their babies by hand. 

The old flint lock musket, whose awful recoil 
Made many a Nimrod in agony cry. 
Once hung on the chimney, a part of the spoil 
Our gallant old grandfathers captured at "Ti." 

Brave men were our gramlfathers, sturdy and strong; 
The Kings of the forest they plucked from their lands; 
They were stern in their virtues, they hated all wrong. 
And they fought for the right with their hearts and their hands. 

Oh! fresh be their memory, cherished the sod 

That long has grown green o'er their sacred remains. 

And grateful our hearts to a generous God 

For the blood and the spirit that flows in our veins. 

Our Hallocks, our Whites, and our Warners are gone 
But our mountains remain with their evergreen crown, 
The souls of our fathers are yet " marching on." 
The structure they founded shall never go down. 

From the weather-worn house on the brow of the hill 

We are dwelling afar in our manhood to-day; 

But we see the old gables and hollyhocks still. 

As they looked when we left them to wander away. 

But the dear ones we loved in the sweet long ago 

In the old village churchyard sleep under the snow." 

Eugene J. Hall. 

SINGING SCHOOLS. 

As early as 17!J4, three choristers were chosen *' for the 
Churcli and Congregation," viz. : Capt. James Richards, 
Lieut. Josepli Joy and Ensign Thomas Shaw. In 1798 
it was voted to raise $30 for the support of a singing 



SINGING SCHOOLS. ' 119 

school. An appropiation of $25 was also made in ISO-l, to 
be expended for tlie same purpose, under the direction of 
Josiali Shaw, Capt. Joseph Joy and John Hamlen. James 
Richards led tlie singing for many years. Later Dea. 
Freeman Hamlen and Capt. Reuljen Hamlen were clior- 
isters; afterward, Wm. J. Shattuck, Horatio A. Shaw and 
others. David Shaw and Orson S. White were the first 
to introduce the violin into the clioir. Dexter White 
brought in the l)ase-viol aliout the same time. Orson 
played the violin in the choir about fifty years in succes- 
sion, except a few years when he was living in Springfield. 
Joseph L. Campbell and Seth W. Clark each x)layed the 
violin with the choir for a few years, Leonard Campbell 
played the flute and also the double bass-viol for a time. 
These instruments were some years since superseded by 
the cabinet organ. This was played by Mrs. L. A. Wliite 
for a time, then by Mrs. Wm. C. Smith. After she 
removed from town Mrs. A. R. Tirrell filled the place. 
Mrs. L. A. White is now the regular organist. An 
active interest was taken in sustaining a good choir 
and for many years Plainfield excelled in this respect. 
Among those who taught singing schools here, were G. 
W. Lucas, Col. Asa Barr, Wm. F. Sherwin, Marshall 
Q. L. Dickinson, Mr. Harding and Mrs. Sanderson. Mr. 
Dickinson has for the third time taught a class here tlie 
past winter. As long ago as the old meeting-house was 
standing, as many as 100 were at one time members of 
the clioir. Wm. C. Whiting and wife, both now living in 
town, were for 58 and 53 years, respectively, active mem- 
bers. Both retain their voices for singing in a remarkable 
degree. One Ford, was the first who taught music here, 
with the possible exception of Dea. Richards. 



1^0 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 



"the old village choir." 

" I have fancied, sometimes, the Bethel-bent beam 

That trembled to earth in the patriarch's dream, 

Was a ladder of song in that wilderness rest, 

Fioin the pillow of stone to the blue of the blest, 

And the angels descending to dwell with us here, 
" Old Hundred" and " Corinth" and " China" and " Mear." 

"Let us sing to God's praise," the minister said; 
All the psalm-books at once fluttered open at " York," 
Sunned their long dotted wings in the words that he read. 
While the leader leaped into the tune just ahead, 
And politely picked up tlie key-note with a fork ; 
And the vicious old viol went growling along 
At the heels of the girls, in the rear of the song. 

All the hearts are not dead, not under the sod. 

That those breaths can blow open to heaven and God ! 

Ah, " Silver Street" flows by a bi-ight shining road,— 

Oh, not to the hymns that in harmony flowed, — 

But the sweet human psalms of the old-fashioned choir, 

To the girl that sang alto, — the girl that sang air! 

Oh, I need not a wing — bid no genii come 

With a wonderful web from Arabian loom. 

To bear me again up the river of Time; 

When the world was in rhythm, and life was its rhyme, 

When the streams of the years flowed so noiseless and narrow 

That across it there floated the song of the sparrow. 

For a sprig of green caraway carries me there. 
To the old village church, and the old village choir. 
Where, clear of the floor my feet slowly swung. 
And timed the sweet pulse of the praise that they sung, 
Till the glory aslant from the afternoon sun 
Seemed the rafters of gold in God's temple begun' 

You may smile at the nasals of old Deacon Brown 
Who followed by scent, till he ran the tune down ; 
And dear Sister Green, with more goodness than grace. 
Rose and fell on the tunes as she stood in her place, 
And where " Coronation " exultingly flows, 
Tried to reach the high notes on the tips of her toes! 

To the land of the leal they have gone with their song. 
Where the choir and the chorus together belong; 
Oh, be lifted, ye gates! Let me hear them again- 
Blessed song, blessed singers ! forever. Amen ! 

Benjamin F. Taylor. 



DRAMATIC CLUB — CONTRASTS. 121 

DRAMATIC CLUB. 

A di'uniatic club was organized here about LS70. Witli 
the assistance of Stephen Hay ward, Jr., a drop curtain and 
stage scenery and fixtures to the value of $300 were pur- 
chased. A number of plays were successfully rendered, 
among them " Uncle Tom's Cabin," and "Paul Pry," all 
the characters being local members of the club. It has 
been practically disbanded for several years. The scenery, 
still in good condition, remains in the town hall. Frank 
Jenks, who went West nearly twenty years since, was an 
excellent actor and an enthusiastic member. When "Un- 
cle Tom's Cabin" was played, he took the part of " Phin- 
eas Fletcher," and also that of '' Legree." At one of the 
rehearsals, at the point where the escape of Cassy is dis- 
covered, he, taking his cue, came on the stage hurriedly 
and in an excited manner shouted, '' Call out my horse, 
Saddle the dogs." I think none who were present will 
forget it, or the bursts of unrestrained laughter that fol- 
lowed, mingled with applause, from the company. 

CONTRASTS. 

I can hardly close without contrasting the every day liv- 
ing of 100 years ago with that of to-day. The food of our 
grandfathers and grandmothers was rye and Indian bread, 
johnny cake, pork and beans, and potatoes, with other 
garden vegetables in their season. Pies and cake were 
esteemed luxuries and were only had at Thanksgiving time 
or a wedding. Wheat flour in the earlier days was almost 
unheard of, but little wheat being raised here. No flour 
was brought into town for sale until 1812, when a few bar- 
rels were brought from New York State. Once or twice 
a week the capacious brick oven at the side of the chimney 



182 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD. 

was heated by building a fire in it of "oven wood," fine 
and dry. After the fire had burned down, the coals and 
ashes were withdrawn, the oven swept with an "oven 
broom," and the bread, pork and beans and whatever arti- 
cles were to be baked, placed inside. A "bread peel," 
which was a broad, flat, long-handled wooden shovel, was 
used for placing and removing articles from the back of 
the oven, which was some five feet in diameter. This 
oven, although it would now be considered very incon- 
venient, surpassed all the modern stoves and ranges in its 
baking qualities. The table was set with wooden or pew- 
ter plates, the parents and older members of the family 
only being seated, it being customary at that time for the 
children to stand during the meal. The houses were heat- 
ed and cooking, except baking, was done at open fire- 
places, which consumed fabulous amounts of wood. They 
were large enough to take a " back log" 12 or 15 inches in 
diameter and at least six feet in length. In front of this, 
on huge andirons, was placed the "fore stick," perhaps 
one-half as large, with fine wood underneath. The oldest 
houses were constructed in such a way that a horse could 
be used to draw the immense back log into the house. It 
usually lasted two or three days. The fire when once kin- 
dled was not allowed to go out from one year's end to the 
other, the coals at bedtime and at such other times as the 
fire was not needed, being carefully covered with ashes to 
keep it. Matches were then unknown, and if by accident 
or oversight a family lost their fire, a child was dispatched 
to the nearest neighbors with a skillet or small iron kettle 
to borrow some live cloals, or if the distance from neigh- 
bors was too great, the flint and steel and a little tow were 
resorted to. Matches when first introduced were only 



CONTRASTS. 123 

used in emergencies and cost 25 cents for a small box con- 
taining perhaps 50. They were called " Lncifers." Near- 
ly everything in the way of clothing was made from cloth 
produced at home. Linen and tow cloth from flax raised 
on the farm, with home-made flannel, supplied the under- 
wear. Men and boys dressed in homespun wool cloth, 
either blue or butternut color. This cloth after being wo- 
ven at home, was sent to a cloth-dressing machine, where 
it was fulled and dressed. The ladies perhaps had a chintz 
gown purchased at the store for Sunday wear, and the 
" goodman,"' if well-to-do, had a broadcloth coat, the ma- 
terial for which had been imported. The boots and shoes 
for the whole family were made by the shoemaker, each 
farmer as a rule furnishing his own leather. It was very 
common for a shoemaker to travel from house to house 
with his kit of tools, stopping long enough to make and 
repair what slioes were required for perhaps six months, 
for each family. It was also common for a tailoress to 
travel in the same way. Such a thing as buying a pair of 
shoes at a store was unheard of. Not until as late as 1825 
or 1830 were any kept for sale, and then only a few 
' ' prunell " shoes for ladies. The loom and large and 
small spinning wheel were among the most necessary 
household furnishings. The plows were made of wood, 
covered by a blacksmith with iron plates. Cast iron plows 
when first introduced were treated with ridicule, few be- 
lieving that they could be used in this stony land without 
being broken at once. Only a few cows were kept, enough 
to supply butter, milk and cheese for family use, there be- 
ing little or no outside market for butter. Every farmer 
kejjt a flock of sheep, the surplus wool selling readily. 
Each registered with the town clerk a description of his 



124 HISTORY OP PLAINPIELD. 

ear-mark for slieep, which must be different from any pre- 
viously registered. Much attention was paid to raising, 
mating, and "breaking" steers; ox teams being much 
more extensively used than now. They were almost the 
only team used for all farm purposes. — The usual form of 
salutation to a superior in social position, or when it was 
desired to show respect, was "Your sarvant, sir," or 
" Your sarvant, marm," with a lifting of the hat if by a 
gentleman, or a courtesy if by a lady. Spirituous liquors 
were at that time made use of by all, even the minister. 
They were cheap and unadulterated, and the evil effects 
resulting from their use were not as marked as at the pres- 
ent day. Not a building could be raised, nor any arduous 
work undertaken without an abundant supply of rum. I 
am informed by Mr. Levi Clark, who, although 88 years 
of age, retains his mental faculties in a remarkable degree, 
that about the year 1820 twelve hogsheads of rum and 
other liquors were brought into town and sold in a single 
year, and probably this did not represent the whole amount 
drank, to say nothing of unlimited quantities of cider. It 
is not perhaps worth while to present in detail the style 
and customs of the present age in contrast with the fore- 
going. We live in an age when improvement makes rapid 
strides. What is new and wonderful to-day, becomes like 
a twice told tale to-morrow. We cease to be surprised at 
any wonderful invention. Let us be thankful that we live 
in this age, rather than in the so-called " good old days" 
of our fathers and grandfathers. 

HATFIELD EQUIVALENT. 

(The following matter taken from the " History of Hawley," by Wm. G. 
Atkins, came to hand too late for insertion in the proper place.) 

In IGoi), in consideration of some services rendered, the 
General Court granted to Mr. Simon Bradstreet (afterward 



HATFIELD EQUIVALENT. V25 

Governor) 500 acres of land, and tlie same anKnmt to Maj. 
Daniel Denison, with the privilei;-e of locating the same 
"at any place west of the Connecticnt River, provided 
that it be full six miles from the place intended for North- 
ampton meeting-honse, upon a straight line." Gov. Brad- 
street had first choice and chose Hatfield north meadows, 
beginning at the north end of the street and running north 
and west to the ponds. Maj. Denison took his north of the 
ponds, extending north on the river one mile, and west 
from the river 350 rods. Immediately after this Hatfield 
was settled, and the inhabitants began to murmur about 
these grants. As they were not then set oflf from Hadley, 
that town induced Gov. Bradstreet to remove his claim and 
accept 1000 acres lying north of Maj. Denison 's, and in 
addition they were to pay the Governor 200 pounds. So 
after the transfer had been made they had a strip tliree 
miles long and 250 rods wide, taking all the meadow land 
on that side the river for three miles. After Hatfield 
became a separate town she felt uneasy about this possess- 
ion of so much of her best farm lands. So she petitioned 
the " Great and General Court" for some redress for her 
grievance and the legislature in 1744 gave her the lands 
lying adjacent to Huntstown, now Ashfield, in all 8004 
acres, as an equivalent for the lands originally granted to 
Bradstreet and Denison. The basis of this division of the 
Hatfield Equivalent was the valuation of estates for taxa- 
tion, after the manner of the original division of the town 
of Hatfield in 1084. There were 83 recipients of this bounty 
which included all the tax-payers of Hatfied at that time. 
Their names are given in the records, with the number of 
acres and rods given to each. These proprietors met at 
Hatfield May 0, 1705, and passed sundry votes in regard 



126 HISTORY OF PLAINFiELt). 

to laying out ways tlirougli the tract. These ways were 
all to be four rods wide and so laid as not to divide any 
proprietor's lot. Only a few of these ways were ever used, 
and the vacancies left for that purpose were the occasion 
of numerous disputes in after years among the owners of 
the abutting lots. The matter was finally settled by a 
committee chosen by the town for that purpose, so far as 
concerned that portion of the tract lying in Plainfield. 



GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OP THE EARLY SET- 
TLERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS. WITH 
ANECDOTES AND SKETCHES. 



EBENEZER BISBEE, 

Ebenezer Bisbee, one of the first settlers of the town, 
was born in 1754, probaljly in Bridgwater, Mass. He 
served a sliort time in the Revolutionary army and settled 
here as early as 1770, on the farm now occupied by Wm. 
H. Packard, in the southwest part of the town. He was 
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1788 and served 15 years. 
Died Jan. 12, 1837. 

Children : Isaac, born April 2, 1770; Barton, April 3, 
1781; James, Aug. 11, 1783; John, July 3, 1785; Nabby, 
Aug. G, 1788; Jennett, Aug. 10, 1700; Arza, Aug. 11, 1702, 
died Sept. 3, 170*;; Galen, Sept. 1, 1707; Mehitable, May 
25, 1800. 

1. Isaac mar. Martha Robinson, Nov. 6, 1801. 

2. Barton mar. Lovina Bird, Oct. 26, 1803. 

3. James mar. Polly Packard, Jan. 28, 1807. 

4. John mar. Mary Lyon of Goshen, Feb., 1810. He 
spent most of his life in Plainfield. Died Jan. 10, 1870 in 
consequence of injuries received by falling down a flight 
of stairs. He spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs. 
L. Campbell, his wife having deceased Feb, 25, 1800, at 

(127) 



128 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELb. 

the age of 72. Children: Eliza M., born Dec. Ifi, 1810; 
Jared, Nov. 25, 1812 ; Lovisa, April 18, 1815; Uzal, April 
13, 1818; John Foster, April 5, 1821; Cyrus L., June 14, 
1828, died Oct. 17, 1838; James D., May 7, 1829. 

Eliza mar. Sylvester Higgins of No. Adams, June, 1834. 

Jared mar. Hannah Fowler, April 19, 1837. Cliildren : 
Almon D., born Jan. 8, 1838; Martha H., Oct. 5, 1844; 
Eliza, Jan. 14, 184G; James D., May 29, 1847; John F., 
Feb. 15, 1850; Flora E., Jan. 27, 1852. 

Lovisa mar. Leonard Campbell, April 15, 1835. 

Uzal mar. Olivia Longley of Hawley. Children : Har- 
riet, Alice, Julia and Carrie. 

Nabby, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Rufus P. Bates, 
Nov. 29, 1804. 

Jennett, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Stephen Hayward, 
Sept. 11, 1812, died Feb. 2, 1838. 

Galen, son of Ebenezer, mar. Penelope Patch, Jan. 1, 
1824. Children, born in Plainfield, Lucinda, Nov. 27, 1824. 

Mehitable, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Joel Lyon, 
March 8, 1821. 

JOSEPH BEALS. 

Joseph Beals was born in Bridgwater, Mass., in 1752. 
He came here with his family in 1779, when this town was 
still a part of Cummington. Li 1789, a year of great 
scarcity, he suffered the loss of his house and nearly all 
his provisions by fire. His religious experience, dating 
from this calamity, was the subject of the tract, "The 
Mountain Miller," by Wm. A. Hallock. It has been print- 
ed in the French and German, as well as the English lan- 
guage, and its circulation has reached several hundred 
thousand copies. The second house which he built is the 



JOSEPH BEALS. 129 

feaine now occu})ied by Nelson W. Cook, though it has 
been considerably altered. His grist-mill was a few rods 
above the present mill of J. A. Nash. Served as selectman 
in 1795. Was chosen deacon of the Plainfield clinrch in 
ISO;]. Died Jnly 20, 1813, aged Cl. His children were 
Samnel, born in Bridgwater, Sept. 2G, 1775 ; Joseph, Jr., 
also born in Bridgwater, July 3, 1778 ; Robert, born Dec. 
7, 1780; Lydia L., May 1!), 1787, died Dec. 4, 1801; Polly, 
April 13, 1789: Lovisa, Jan. 4, 1792. 

1. Samuel mar. Sally Chamberlain, July 31, 1798. Their 
children were Dennis, born May 11, 1799; Otis, Dec. IG, 
1801; Lydia L., Feb. 10, 180G, mar. Lemuel Allis (second 
wife) May 18, 1825. — Samuel died June 30, 1851. — Dennis 
mar. Almira Hadlock in 1821. Their children were Sam- 
uel, 2d, born Aug. 8, 1821; Deimis A., Oct. 13, 1827 ; Laura 
A., March 30, 1831; John C, Jan. 1, 1831 ; Flora E., Nov. 
4, 1844, and two who died in infancy. — Samuel, 2d, mar. 
Miss Bushnell of Cheshire and removed to Michigan, 
where he died. — Dennis A. mar. Ruth T. Hunt of Haw- 
ley, March, 1847. Lives in North Adams. — Laura mar. 
Lewis Longley, May, 1855; died Jan., 1891.— John C. mar. 
Lorinda H. Fuller of Hawley, Oct. 1855. — Flora E. mar. 
Harvey L. Hadlock, June 11, 18G8; died Nov. 19, 18G8. 
Almira, wife of Dennis, was for many years insane, but 
was not so violent as to make it necessary to confine her. 
Dennis died March 29, 1879. — Otis mar. Roxana Lazell, 
March 20, 182G. They settled in Hawley. Otis died in 
Plainfield, June 10, 1882. Children : Edmund, born Dec. 
2, 1827, died in Plainfield, Oct. 13, 18G2 ; Roxana, Nov. 21, 
1830, mar. James Murray, 1857, live in Iowa; H. Harri- 
son, Nov. 5, 1838; H. Wesley, July 20, 183G, mar. Harriet 
Landon, June, 1859 — one son, Fred W.,b(n'n Oct. 23, 18G1, 



130 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

He mar. Cora H. Hinckley, April 11, 188G — one son, 
Darwin L., born Dec. 23, 1888. 

2. Joseph Beals, Jr. mar. Betsey Reed, May 13, 1802; died 
Aug. 7, 1847. Children: Harriet, born April 9, 1803; Loren 
Dec. 6, 1805; Dexter, Oct. 28, 1807; Annis, Jan. 23, 1811, died 
May (J, 1841 ; Betsey, Feb. 17, 1814, died June 23, 1839; Lydia 
P., Feb. 5, 1818; Joseph 3d, Aug, 6, 1821. — Harriet mar. 
Lorin White, March 31, 1823. — Loren mar. Sarah Davison, 
Nov. 29, 1832. — Dexter mar. Julia Packard of Goshen. — 
Joseph 3d married and settled in Greenfield, Mass., as a 
dentist. 

3. Robert mar. Nabby Vining, Jan. 10, 1805. Was 
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1819 and served four years. 
Was chosen Town Clerk in 1821, and served seven years. 
Died July 2, 1844. Children : Fordyce, born Oct. 21, 1806; 
Vesta, Sept. 29, 1808; Eli V., Jan 25, 1810; Mary, April 12, 
1812; Abigail, June 24, 181G; Robert P., Aug. 24, 1819; 
Alden Porter, May 30, 1825. — Fordyce mar. Mary H. Green, 
died in New Haven, Ct. in 1870. — Vesta mar. Samuel Snell 
of Cummington, Dec. 14, 1831. He deceased, and she mar. 
Philo Packard of Cummington (second wife). — Eli V. died 
in Pittsfield in 1854. — Mary mar. Albert Dyer, Dec. 3, 1835. 
— Abigail mar. Granville B. Hall of Ashfield, April 11, 
1843. — Robert P. mar. for second wife Margaret Burt, died 
in Springfield, Oct. 7, 1885. — Alden P. mar. for second 
wife Augusta Waite of Hatfield, died at Stamford, Ct., 
April 12, 1889. 

4. Polly, daughter of Joseph 1st, mar. Ebenezer Lovell, 
March 2, 1809, died July 30, 1810. 

5. Lovisa, mar. Wm. Reed of Albany, N. Y., Jan. 11, 
1814. 



JOHN CAMPBELL, 131 

JOHN CAMPBELL. 

Jolm Campboll was honi Nov, 3, 1752. Served in tlie 
war of tlio Revolution, and witnessed Burgoyne's surrender 
to Gates in 1777. Mar. Lydia Kent, June 35, 1783, and 
settled here as early as 1784. They lived in a small house 
on the exact site of the old Campljell house, torn down 
in 1S!)(). His wife Lydia died Sept. G, 1800, aged 51. He 
mar. for a second wife, Betsey Hunt of Hawley, Jan. 18, 

1809. She died Sept. 7, 1818, aged 38. For a third wife 
he mar. Mrs. Asenath Claghorn of Hawley, Nov. 1819, 
Her daughter by her first husl)and, Mrs. Temperance At- 
kins, is still living in town. He died April 35, 1833. 
Children of John and his wife Lydia were Ebenezer, 
born July 13, 1784; Levi, March 5, 178(J; Edmund, Feb. 19, 
1788; Sally, Dec. 8, 1789; Amasa, May 30, 1791; Betsey, 
July 15, 1797. 

1. Ebenezer is not further mentioned in the records. 
He married and had at least one son, Ebenezer, Jr. 
3. Levi mar. Clarissa Joy, daughter of Joseph, June 14, 

1810, died Nov. G, 1874. Children : Leonard, born April 
15, 1811,; Levi N., Nov. 13, 1813. Clarissa M., Sept. 16, 
1831; Joseph Lyman, Dec. 19, 1834; also a daughter who 
died in 1818, aged 3, and another in 1838, aged 11. — Leon- 
ard mar, Lovisa Bisbee, April 15, 1835. Held the office of 
Deputy Sheriff for 38 years, and Postmaster over 30 years. 
Has served as moderator of town meetings more times 
than any other citizen. Had one son, Fred E., born May 
17, 183G. He mar. Amanda L. Pratt, Oct. 30, 18G0. They 
had one child, Kate L., born Sept. IG, 18G3; mar. Merritt 
O. Wallace. Reside in Florence, Mass. Fred E. died in 
Florence, Mass., Oct. 39, 188G. The following resolutions 



132 HISTORY OP PLAlNFIELt). 

were passed by " Florence Lodge, No. 1207, Knights of 
Honor," on his decease : 

" Whereas, it has pleased the Snprenie Dictator of the 
Universe, to again invade our circle, and call from the 
fraternity before to that beyond. Brother Frederick E. 
Campbell, and 

Whereas, in his death our lodge has sustained the loss of 
a valued and efficient member, the community an honest, 
upright citizen, his family a kind, loving and faithful 
husband and father, therefore. 

Resolved, that while we bow in humble submission to 
the Divine Will, we desire to express the deep sense of 
personal loss we feel, and extend to the afflicted family our 
earnest and heartfelt sympathy in their great bereavement 
and sorrow, and say that while we shall see his face no 
more, his life and example will ever remain to stimulate 
and bind us more closely together in the ties of our com- 
mon brotherhood. 

Resolved, that our lodge be draped in mourning for thirty 
days, and that a copy of these resolutions be placed on our 
records, and a copy be sent to the family of the deceased." 

Levi N. mar. Ruth W. Hall of Hawley, May, 1841. Was 
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1849, and held the office 
twenty-two years; longer that any other person in the his- 
tory of the town. He was for the greater part of the time, 
Chairman of the board. Was chosen a member of the 
School Committee in 1841, and held the office nineteen 
years. Represented the town in the legislature in 1854, 
and the district in 18G4. Has for the last ten years resided 
in Florence, Mass. Children of Levi N. and Ruth were 
George L., born July 28, 184G; Ruth Florence, Dec. 25, 
1850. Ruth, wife of Levi N., deceased Feb. 3, 1851. For 
a second wife, mar. Rachel Whitmarsh, Nov. 24, 1852. 
Children. Herbert S., born Nov. 3, 1857; Louis L., Aug, 
30, 1859; Addie C, Feb. 20, 1804. 

George L. mar. Laura E. Warner, daughter of William, 
Nov. 27, 1807. Reside in Northampton. Florence cares 



JOHN CAMPBELL. 133 

for her father, his wife having deceased in January, 18!S7. 

Herbert S. mar. Minnie B. Howes, June 10, 1S7'.). Re- 
side in Northampton. Children: Harry N., Ijorn June 
S, 1880; Cherie M., Sept. 4, 1889. 

Louis L. mar. Margie W. Stockwell of Nortluim^jton. She 
deceased in a year or two after their marriage, and in 18!)0 
he mar. Alice S. Spear, also of Northampton. In February, 
1877, he became clerk in the Northampton Post Office, 
under Postmaster Joy. He remained as clerk and Asst. 
P. M. for about five years, when he was a|)])ointed to a 
position in the railway mail service, and Ajjril 1, 1882, 
went on duty on the route from Palmer. Mass. to Brattle- 
boro', Vt. In Jan., 1883, he was transferred to the line 
between Boston and New York, via Springfield. Was 
gradually promoted to higher grades and in May, 1889, 
was appointed "clerk in charge" of a crew of twelve 
clerks. This line is considered one of the heaviest in the 
country, and three postal cars are required on the night 
trains. He resigned this position in August, 1890, to ac- 
cept the appointment of Postmaster of Northampton, 
which office he now holds. During his service as railway 
postal clerk, he was calle<l upon for twenty-four examina- 
tions, each consisting of from 500 to 1000 questions. In 
fifteen of these he |)assed 100 per cent., and in the other 
nine he stood above 99 per cent. As postmaster, he is 
most thorough and efficient, and has made several import- 
ant improvements in the service. 

Addie C. mar, Chas. Huxley of Florence, in 1888, in 
which place they now reside. 

Clarissa M., daughter of Levi, mar. Thos. D. Clark of 
Hawley, June 29, 1842. 

Joseph L. mar. Adeline C. Eldridge of Hawley, May, 



134 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

1851. Tliey had one or two children who died in infancy. 
She deceased, and he married for a second wife, Augusta 
Eldridge, a sister of the first. They have one daughter, 
Mary. Reside in Floren-ce, Mass. He was for several 
years, while in Easthampton, a Deputy Sheriff under Maj. 
Longley. 

3. Edmund, son of John, mar. Nancy Shaw, daughter 
of Josiah 1st, May 23, 1817. Had one son, Josiah Dwight, 
born Oct. 30, 1818, and two who died in infancy. He mar, 
Lucy Adams of Chicopee. Had one daughter, Lizzie S., 
born Dec. 23, 1844:, died Oct. 24, 1861. J. Dwight died 
Feb. 17, 1849. 

4. Sally, daughter of John, mar. William Joy, March, 
1810. 

5. Amasa mar. Sally Bester, Oct. 14, 1813. Children: 
Emily B., born Sept. 26, 1815; John T., Feb. 12, 1818; 
Betsey P., June 1820; Sally M., May 23, 1822. 

6. Betsey, daughter of John, mar. Watson Pool of 
South Hadley, Dec. 5, 1822. 

ABRAM CLARK. 

Abram Clark was born in Attleboro', Mass., in 1751. 
Settled in Plainfield not far from 1783, on the farm where 
L. K. Thayer now lives. His wife was Silence Gloyd, from 
Abington. He died Nov. 24, 1834. Cliildren : Susanna, 
born Oct. 19, 1782; Polly, Aug. 5, 1784; Betsey, April 15, 
1786; James, Nov. 29, 1787; Lydia, Sept. 4, 1789, died June 
7, 1890; Elijah, May 4, 1791; Samuel, Nov. 28, 1792; Abram, 
Jr., Feb. 22, 1796; Silence, July 2, 1801, died Jan. 13, 1808. 

1. Susanna mar. Asa Thayer, Dec. 2, 1804, died March 
5, 1870. 



ABRAM CLARK. 135 

2. Polly mar. John Sliaw, Jr., Oct. 24, 1802, died A])i-il 
20, LSOS. 

;i. Betsey mar. Reuben Kingman of Goshen, March 18, 
1808. 

-t. James mar. Zernah Bigelow of Cnmmington, March, 
1808. Children: Mary Ann, born July 17, 1810, and prob- 
ably others. He removed from town soon after his marri- 
age and became a minister of the Baptist denomination. 
His wife deceased and he returned to Plainfield when over 
70 years old. At the age of 74 he married Hanmih Giir- 
ney, (widow of Joseph Gurney and previously of Beza 
Reed, maiden name Stockwell.) He preached for the 
Baptist Society for a short time, being their last regular 
minister, and died July 5, 1S(;8. 

5. Elijah mar. Waity Jenks of Cheshire. She died 
Jan. 17, 1850, and he married for a second wife, Lucretia 
Lyman of Hadley, July, 1851. He represented the town 
in the legislature in 1835 and 183(1, and was for many years 
a Justice of the Peace. Died in West Cummington about 
1884. Children of Elijah and Waity were John, born Dec. 
20, 1813; Minerva, Feb. 4, 1816; Samantha, Oct. 7, 1818; 
Lewis, Dec. 13, 1822; Elijah Alden, May 12, 1827; James 
D wight, July O, 1830. John mar. Hannah Jones, Dec. 
1834, and removed from town. 

Samantha mar. Alden W. Mason, Nov. 30, 1837. 

Elijah A. mar. Loraine F. Warner, Oct. 30, 184!). Chil- 
dren: Willis A., born Nov., 1850; George W., Aug. 1, 
1854.— Loraine F., wife of Elijah A., died Oct. 18, 1854. 
He married for a second wife, Hannah L. Lyman, Dec. 3, 
1856. Their children were Chas. L., born Oct. 2, 1857; 
Alice L., Oct. 25, 1861. 

James Dwiglit mar. Flora Stevens. Sept. 2G, 1851, died 



13G HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

Feb. 1, 185G. Tliey liad one child, Flora Ellen, born May 
28, 1853. 

0. Samuel mar. Lucy Sheldon, Children: Lorinda, 
born Nov. 17, 181G; Parthena R., Nov. 16, 1819; Polly, 
Dec. 11, 1821; Samuel Sheldon, Dec. 22, 1823; Eliza Ann, 
Sept. 19, 182G. 

JACOB CLARK. 

Jacob Clark was born in Abington, Mass., in 1755. 
Served in the Revolutionary war and came to Plainfield 
in 1783. He jnar. Susanna Jones, sister of Jacob. They 
lived on the farm since occupied by his son Chester, where 
H. H. Fenton now lives. Died July IG, 1832. Children: 
Hannah, born March 1, 1783; Sarah, Nov. 27, 1784 : Re- 
bekah, Jan. 17, 1787; Mary, July 9, 1789; David, March 
13, 1792, died March 13, 179G; Jacob, Jr., Sept. 22, 1794; 
Lucy, Sept. 22, 1797; Nancy, Oct. 4, 1799; Levi, Dec. 30, 
1802; Chester, May 4, 1805; Alanson, May 14, 1807. 

1. Hannah died Nov. 27, 1830. 

2. Sarah died March 7, 1813. 

3. Rebekah mar. Daniel Coe of Durham, N. Y., Feb. 
17, 1822. 

4. Mary mar. Rev. James Jewell of Durham, N. Y., 
July 1, 181G. 

5. Jacob, Jr., remained in town and was engaged in 
woolen manufacturing and trade. He never married. 
Was chosen Town Clerk in 1841, and served three years. 
Died Feb. 16, 1848. 

6. Lucy died May 12, 1828. 

7. Nancy died July 7, 1803. 

8. Levi mar. Electa Joy, daughter of Joseph, Oct. 2, 
1828. Both are still living in town. He kept store for 



JACOB CLARK. 137 

somo yuars in cum})ciiiy with his brother Jacob, until liis 
(luath, when he conducted the business ahjne for seven or 
eight years. He was Postmaster some four years, and had 
charge of the ofitice about eight years. Was chosen Town 
Clerk in 1848, and held the office five years. Children: 
Mary J., born May 0, 1830, mar. Wm. H. Dyer, May 18, 
1854; Charles C, born Dec. 12, 18.'3(J. He has not married 
yet. 

9. Chester mar. Minerva Jones, daughter of Jacob, 
Dec. 1, 1831. and remained on the old homestead, died 
March 18, 1885. Children: Seth W., born Sept. 22, 1833; 
Elizabeth S., Sept. 19, 1842. Seth W. mar. Nancy W. 
Jones, Sept. 3, 1855. They lived for some years after their 
marriage in Brooklyn, N. Y., but returned to Plainfield 
about 18G2, where they have since resided. He was chosen 
one of the Selectmen in 1873, and has served six years in 
all, being Chairman for several years. Has served 13 
years as one of the School Committee, being elected to that 
office in 18G3. He is at present, president of the Cumming- 
ton Creamery Association, an office which he has held 
since the formation of company. Was chosen deacon of 
the Cong. Church, March 3, 1877. Children : Nellie M., 
born in 1857; Fred D., 1800, both born in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
Henry D., born Oct. 20, 18G5; Alice C, May 8, 1808; Ma- 
rian N., June 2, 1870 ; Frank S., June 27, 1873, died Jan. 
2S, 1875. 

Nellie M. mar. Arthur R. Tirrell, Nov. 27, 1879. 
Fred D. mar. C. Helen Gurney of Cummington, June 
23, 1885. Children: Etha Helen, born June 23, 1880. 

10. Alanson never married. Was by trade a tailor, 
and lived in the family of his brother Chester. Died Oct. 
10, 1883. 



138 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

ANDREW COOK. 

Andrew Cook was born in 1737.* Was one of the very- 
earliest settlers, having come here previous to 1774. He 
lived on the place since occupied by Horace Daniels, east 
of Dea. S. W. Clark's; died March (3, ISl-t. Children: 
Hannah, born Oct. 6, 1774; John, Oct. 18, 177G. These 
two were, so far as known, the first of each sex born in the 
present town limits. They both died in infancy or early 
childhood. His other children were John 2d, born Oct. 
27, 1778; Joseph, Feb. 1, 1781; Hannah 2d, Nov. 13, 1783. 
He also had daughters, Sarah, Lois and Amy, whose names 
do not appear on the town records. 

1. John mar. Susanna Gurney, Sept. 15, 179(3. He was 
by trade a carpenter and builder and many of the oldest 
houses now standing were built by him, as well as others 
of later construction. Children: Thomas, born May 23, 
1801; Edson, May 27, 1803; James, March 29, 1805; Ros- 
well, July 9, 1811; Benjamin F., March 25, 1815; John 
Jackson, Sept. 24, 1817, besides three daughters who died 
in childhood. — Thomas mar. Rachel Gurney of Ashfield, 
Jan. 1824, and settled in Cummington. Died April IG, 
185(3. Children: Elniira and Elvira, twins, mar. John 
Snow and Alonzo Eldridge; Henry W., mar. Selina Shaw; 
Sarah D.; Rachel, mar. Ansel B. Cole, Feb., 185(3; Lovina 
and Martin L. Martin was a member of the 52d Mass. 
Reg't in the late war, and died Sept. 8, 18G3, aged 27. — Ed- 
son mar. Esther Abel of Goshen, Feb., 1824. Died sud- 
denly while crossing the field between Jared Dyer's house 
and the village, Feb. 5, 1858. He had been dead some 
hours when discovered. Children: Maria E., born Feb. 
15, 1825; James Edward, Sept. 9, 182G; Edson, Jr., April 
8, 1831; Alfred E., May IG, 1839; Susan E., May 27, 1844. 



ANDREW COOK. 130 

James Cot)k mar. Susan Joy, daiigliter of Isaac, Jr., Jan. 
24, 183.'). They lived on the liomestead formerly occupied 
by Joseph Beals, the "Mountain Miller." Died Oct. 21, 
1881. Children: Harriet, born Oct. 27, 1833; Andrew S., 
July 31, 1837; Nelson W., March 29, 1840; Franklin, June 
30, 1843.— Harriet mar. C. Wells Smith of Worthing-ton, 
June 18, 1851. — Andrew S. mar. Addie M. Livermore of 
Peru, Dec. 18G2. They reside in Springfield, Mass. — Nel- 
son W. mar. Mary E. Davison, Nov. 2, 18G4. They live 
(^n the old liomestead, which he has greatly improved; his 
mother, aged 88, living with them. Was a member of the 
37th Mass. Reg't in the late war. — Franklin entered the 
army and died in the service at Beaufort, N. C, June 
20, 18G3. James and his son Nelson W. were both carpen- 
ters. It was the family trade. 

Roswell mar. Elsie Thayer, Aug. 19, 1830, died March 
27, 1881. Children: Laura A., born Feb. 10, 1831; John 
F., June 12, 1835; Royal, Dec. 25, 1837; and Flora. 

Benj. F. mar. Abigail Bates, Oct. 11, 183G, died Aug. 31, 
1842. Children: Martha and Jared Allen. 

John Jackson mar. Irene Rice of Hawley. Children: 
Mary, Joseph, William and Adrian. — The wife of John, 
son of Andrew, died Sept. 18, 183G. For a second wife he 
married Hannah Packard, daughter of Caleb Packard of 
Ashfield, May 30, 1838. He died July 9, 1849. 

2, Joseph mar. Sally Joy, Sept. 19, 1799. Children: 
Levi, Jason, Laura, Clarissa, Electa and Bennett. 

3. Hannah, daughter of Andrew, mar. Jacob Gardner, 
Jr., Feb. 20, 180G. 

JESSE DYER. 

We quote the following from Hobart's History of Ab- 
ington : — " The name Dyer was doubtless originally given 



140 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

to designate some individual by liis occupation. It occurs 
in English records as early as 14:36, and I know not liow 
much earlier. The Dyers were of English origin; the 
name occurs in the Yorkshire pedigrees. George Dyer of 
Dorchester came over in the " Mary and John," May, 1G30. 
William Dyer petitioned to be made a freeman, in Wey- 
mouth, in 1635 or 1636. He removed to Rhode Island in 
1638. From him the Dyers of that state are descended. 
The Dye:^ of Connecticut sprung from John and Thomas, 
who settletr'"lTr"'Windham county. They were sons of 
Thomas D^er of Weymouth, who is supposed to have set- 
tled there about 1632. The coat-of-arms of the Dyer family 
was a plain shield, surmounted by a wolf's head, as appears 
from a tombstone in the burying ground on Copp's Hill, 
Boston. I find the name very often occurs among the 
tradesmen and mechanics of England, and is abundant in 
the Post Office Directory of London. There are many of 
the name in Maine, descendants of Asa (brother of Jesse) 
and also on the Cape, descended from the same original 
stock." 

Although Jesse Dyer lived just over the line in Ashfield, 
quite a portion of his farm was in Plainiield, he attended 
church there, his sons all settled there, and he himself in 
his last years removed there. He was born in Abington, 
Mass., in 1769. His father and grandfather were named 
Christopher. He came to Ashfield soon after 1790, and 
settled on the farm where Benjamin M. Dyer now lives. 
This, like the rest of the town, was heavily covered with 
woods. He cleared a few acres, built a small house and a 
barn, and married Sally Pool, daughter of Dea. Samuel 
Pool, Oct. 4, 1795. Children: Jared, born Nov. 1, 1796; 
Oakes, Feb. 32, 1799; Bela, May 24, 1802; Albert, June 25, 



JESSE DYER. Ul 

1807; Sarah, about ISIO; Samuel. July ;23, lSi;3; Newell. 
Jan. 2o, 181S, and one who died in infancy in 1S05. 

1. Jared mar. Olive Pool, daughter of Benjamin, Oct. 
14, 1824. Lived where O. C. Burt now lives; died Feb. 
25, 1874. Children: Wm. H., born Sept. 13. 1825; Betsey 
Ann, June 21, 1827, died Aug. 22, 1828; Edwiu J., June o, 
1829; Emily G., Oct. 14, 1884; Alfred T., July 19, 1839. 
Wm. H. mar. Mary J. Clark. May 18, 1854.— Edwin J. 
mar. Marion Cole, May 4, 1853; died Jan. 2, 1882.— Emily 
G. mar. J. Mortoii Barber, Oct. 11, 1857. Have for many 
years lived in Pittsfield, Mass., Mr. Barber having been 
employed for more than 25 years by Rice, Robbins & Co. 
—Alfred T. mar. Emily M. Stowell of Hinsdale, Mass., 
July 3, 1864. She deceased Aug. 21, 1800, and he married 
for a second wife Emily C. Wentworth of Hinsdale, March 
20, 1807. Has been for a number of years overseer of the 
extensive farm of W. H. Milton at Pittsfield, Mass. 

2. Oakes mar. Electa Stoddard Nov., 1824. They lived 
on the place originally occupied by Thomas Shaw, just 
below the Jared Dyer place. About 1855 he bought the 
Dr. Porter house, which stood on the corner south of the 
" Brick store," and removed it to his place. As soon as it 
was ready to occupy, the brick house in which he at first 
lived, was torn down. No buildings now remain on the 
place except a barn. Children: Electa S., born Jan. 20, 
1820; Spencer O., Oct. 4, 1827; Lewis S., Jan. 4, 1829; An- 
geline M., Oct. 4, 1831; Julia M., Feb. 19, 1842.— Electa 
mar. Francis K. Cottrell, Oct. 20, 1852, died Oct. 11, 1802. 
— Spencer O. mar. Elizabeth A. Ely of Westfield, Mass., 
Aug., 1855. Studied for the ministry and after preaching 
for Congregational churches for a few years, he joined the 
Methodist denomination, under which he preached until 



142 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELt). 

quite recently. He is now, or lias quite recently heeii 
teaching in the High schools near Boston. — Lewis S. mar. 
Mary L. Porter of Hatfield, Marcli, 1853. Has resided in 
Hatfield, Mass., since his marriage. — Angeline mar. Geo. 
• W. Cottrell of Worthington, May, 1854. Went to live in 
Middlefield.— Julia died in Middlefield. Dec. 5, 1883. She 
was unmarried. Electa, first wife of Oakes, died March 
4, 1842, aged 41. For a second wife he married Mrs. Nabhy 
V. Taylor of Hawley, widow of Zebulon Taylor, March, 
1844. She died Nov. 37, 184G, aged 48. For a third wife 
he married Mary Ford of Windsor, Aug., 1850.. She died 
April 8, 1858, aged 56. He died in Middlefield, Jan. 28, 
1877. 

3. Bela mar. Deborah White, daughter of Samuel, 
in 1824. They settled on the farm where John F. 
Cook lives. Children: Mary Ann, born Feb. 28, 1825; 
Marantha, May 28, 1827. His wife died Nov. 10, 1828. 
For a second wife he married Ruth Ranney of Ashfield, 
Dec. 22, 1830. Children: Charles B., born 1832, died 
March 8, 1834, being choked by a piece of apple lodged in 
his windpipe; Newell 2d, born Feb. 27, 1835; Newcomb, 
Jan. 15, 1837. Both served in the Union army in the late 
war, Newell in the 31st Mass., Newcomb in the 46th, — Mary 
Ann mar. Jonathan Brackett, Feb. 29, 1850. They lived 
in Searsburg, Vt. for some years, where Mr. Brackett con- 
ducted a tannery. They removed to Schroon Lake, N. Y., 
where he died Feb. 2, 1884. She married Wm. Henry 
Packard of this town Oct. 26, 1887, and now resides here. 

Marantha mar. Sylvester S. Hall, Nov. 18, 1847. They 
lived in Hawley and Conway and finally in Williamsburg, 
where he died, July 5, 1808. She married Rev. Wakefield 
Gale of Easthampton, Aug. 31, 1870. He deceased Oct. 
2, 1881. She now resides with her son in Iowa. 



Jesse dyer. 143 

Newell 2il, mar. Marion Granger Jan. 1, ISO.'!. She died 
Oct. 8, the .same year. Had one daughter, Nettie A., born 
Sept. .'50, 1863; deceased. For a second wife he married 
Ellen Joy of Peru, Oct., 180(i. She died Nov. U. 1881. 
Children: Frank B., horn Feb. 17, 18(58; Adelbert N., 
April i;}, 1877. For a third wife he married Rose Thayer 
of Hawley, in which town they now reside. Frank B., 
son of Newell 2d, while laboring under a lit of temporary 
insanity, shot himself through the head with a revolver, 
near Amity, Mo., in 188!), at which place he had just ar- 
rived on a visit to relatives. He died instantly. 

Newcomb mar. Julia A. Thayer, Feb. 4, 1864. She died 
Aug. 1, 1867. Children: Fordyce N., born April 28, 1865; 
Alden M., July 30, 1867. He married for a second wife,. 
Harriet E. Thayer, Aug. 30, 1868. They removed to 
DeKalb Co. (near Amity) Missouri, where they have rear- 
ed a large family and still reside. 

' "Ruth, second wife of Bela, died Sept. 6, 18()3, aged 57. 
He for a third wife married Mary Nash of Madison, Ohio, 
widow of Vinson Nash, and sister of his first wife, June 2. 
1865. In the spring of 1860 he removed to North Madison, 
O., where he died, Aug. 19, 1878. While most of the Dyer 
brothers were what might be called '' original characters," 
Bela was perhaps the most widely known, and will be more 
generally remembered than any other. He was a very 
fluent talker, and a great story teller. Although a man of 
truth in all ordinary matters, he had a well known habit 
of exaggerating a story, which was highly amusing to his 
listeners. Rev. Moses Hallock once mildly remonstrated 
with him. " I know it," said Uncle Bela, with tears in his 
eyes, touched by the kind reproof, " I know it, and I've 
shed hogslieads of tears over it." His stories must have 



144 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

been heard from his lips in order to be fully appreciated. 
The roll of his eye, the clip of one hand over the other, his 
solemn manner at the close, as though he was testifying 
in court under oath, and his gestures, can not be re-pro- 
duced. A few of his stories I will endeavor to write out. 

A GREAT SLAUGHTER. 

The house where he lived soon after his first marri- 
age was infested with rats. A room in the second story 
was used for storing corn. The rats had effected an en- 
trance at one corner, and were making sad havoc with it, 
their excursions being of course mainly at night. Uncle 
Bela determined to have their blood; so he arranged a 
swinging cover to the rat hole with strings connected 
which he carried through small holes in the ceiling over 
the head of his bed in the room underneath, so that he 
could grasp them and open or close the hole as he wished. 
At night when he retired he pulled a string and left the 
hole open. About midnight he was awakened by the noise 
of a small army of rats in the room overhead. He closed 
the hole by the string, rose, partially dressed, and taking 
a convenient club and a candle ascended to the chamber, 
where the rats were holding carnival, and closing the 
door he valiantly attacked his foes, nor stayed his hand till 
every rat had bit the dust. He then opened the hole and 
returned to bed, where, wearied with his efforts, he soon 
fell asleep. About 2 A, M. he was again awakened by the 
noise of another detachment of rats rolling the ears of 
corn overhead. He quickly closed the aperture, rose, again 
ascended the stairs, and the first scene was repeated. As 
he closed the door and again descended to bed, he was re- 



JESSE DYER. 145 

minded of Samson's slangliter of the Philistines. " In the 
morning,'' said he, "I tliought Fd go and pick np the 
dead rats, so I took a bnshel basket and went np and as I 
■ was a pickin' on "em \\\) I thought I'd count 'em. So I 
done so, an' tlier was four liiiudred and fifty." I have 
learned from Mr. Levi Clark who lived neighbor to him 
at the time, that the main points in the story are trne, but 
he had increased the (original numl)er at least ten-fold. 

A SLIPPERY TIME. 

He was often called to serve on a jury and at one time 
in the winter when he was attending court there came a 
rain storm which froze as it fell, covering everything with 
glare ice. Said he, " I came out o' the court house and 
down the steps a leetle ahead o' the other jurymen. I had 
taken a few steps on the sidewalk when my heels went 
Zip ! and I went down. I rolled my eye 'round behind 
me to see if anybody had seen me fall, and behold I every 
oneoi the other eleven jurymen sat flat on the sidewalk in 
a row, one behind 'tother. " 

HE HAD STRONG LUNGS. 

"Talkin' about light snows," said Uncle Bela, taking a 
huge chew of fine cut, "one night in the winter about 
twenty years ago I went to bed as usual. The stars shone 
bright and a clearer night I never saw. When I got up in 
the morning it was still clear as a bell, but on going to the 
door I found there had four feet of snow fallen in the 
night. I see 'twas pretty light, so I put my head down 
and blew one puff^. It blew a hole clean to the ground. 
The whole on't, if 'twas well squeezed down, wouldn't 
made a hcdf an inch/' 
10 



146 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

DURABLE TIMBER. 

A neighbor was about new-silling his barn. Said Uncle 
Bela, " Why don't you get a red beech? It will last five 
hundred years. I've fried if fivice.'" 

A CORRECT TIMEPIECE. 

He had an old-fashioned tall clock which he set great 
store by. Said he, "That clock will run nine hundred 
years and not vary fhe fhickness of a case kjvife."' 

TRULY DEPLORABLE. 

In speaking of the deplorable condition of the heathen 
in a certain country, he said, " They eat old shoes; don't 
know whether they've got a maker above or beloiv." 

■i. Albert mar. Mary Beals, daughter of Dea. Robert 
and grand-daughter of the " Mountain Miller,'' Dec. 3, 
1835. They settled where Sumner Burt now lives in the 
east part of the town. About the time of Dea. Robert 
Beals' death they removed to his house and cared for his 
widow until her death and made their permanent residence 
there. He was chosen one of the School Committee in 
1840 and served thirteen years. Also chosen Selectman the 
same year, and served four years. Was appointed Justice of 
the Peace as early as 18()0, and held the office until his 
death, which occurred July KJ, 1883. His widow still re- 
tains the old homestead which was occupied by her father, 
spending the summer there and the remainder of the year 
with her daughter in Conway. Their children were Flora 
A., born Feb. 26, 1838, died Sept. 7, 1855; Mary F. and 
Fordyce A., twins, born Nov. 8, 1840. Mary was a suc- 
cessful teacher in this and other towns. Married W. D. 



JESSE DYER. li'^ 

Sanderson of Conway, Dec. 1), 1S75. He died a few years 
since. She and her children still reside in Conway. 
Fordyce entered Williams college in IHCl, Init left before 
gradnating to enter the army, where (as related elsewhere) 
he died Oct. 2Vu 18(;4. 

5. Sarah mar. Ebenezer Crosby of Hawley, June 13, 
1(S33. They removed to Wisconsin where she died in 1S48, 
leaving several children. 

6. Samuel mar. Mrs. Martha Hamlen Cole of Wortli- 
ington, June, 1S37. Lived where C. N. Holden now lives. 
Served as Selectman in 1855, and School Committee in 
1848; died April 9, 1883. Children: Alden H., born June 
19, 1839; Augusta M., May 19, 1841; Effie G., July 15, 
1850. — Alden mar. Nancy L. Barber, Dec. --39, isc.l. He 
entered the army in 18(;-> and died in the service at New- 
bern, N. C, Jan. 19, 1863.— Effie mar. Chas. N. Holden of 
Hawley, May 4, 187Ji. They reside on the old homestead 
of Samuel Dyer, her sister Augusta living with them. 

7. Newell, youngest son of Jesse, mar. Mary Ann 
Whitmarsh, May 24, 1842. Remained with his parents 
caring for them until their death; his mother dying March 
24, 1852, aged 73, and his father July 13, 1854, aged 85. 
Lived on the old place until 1847, when he purchased the 
Dea. James Richards farm, and removed thither, where 
he remained eight years. In 1850 he removed to the vil- 
lage. His wife died May 2, 1800. For a second wife 
he married Mrs. Lydia L. Sears, widow of Wm. H. Sears 
of Ashfield, Oct. 17, 18(;(i. He deceased Feb. 23, 1872. 
Had one son, Charles N., born Jan. 7, 1850. Was chosen 
Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1876, which offices he has 
held until the present time. Was chosen a member of the 
School Committee in 1872, served ten years and is at pres- 



148 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

ent a memher of tlie board. A))i)ointed a Jiistice of the 
Peace in 1.SS4, and Postmaster in 18.S9. Married M. An- 
toinette Ford of Peru, Oct. 6, 1872. Children: Albert F., 
born Aug. 2. 187.'); L. Genevieve, June 7, 1880; Charles 
Frederick, Aug. ID. 18S2. 

JOSEPH GLOYD. 

Joseph Gloyd was born in Abington, Mass., in 17(J3. 
Served a short time in the Revolutionary army, and set- 
tled here about 170(). Married Abigail Garnett of this 
town, Dec. (i, 1792. and settled on the place where his son 
Bethuel now lives. Died July 15, 1842. His brothers, 
Benjamin and Ephraim, settled here about the same time. 
All were physically, large heavy men. Benjamin, Sr. at 
his death weighed about 300 lbs. It is related that it was 
found necessary to widen the doorway by removing the 
casing from one side, in order to take the cofhn from the 
house decently at the time of his funeral. Children of Jo- 
seph were Levi, born Aug. 24, 1793; Betsey, Nov. 27, 1797; 
Lovisa, April 29, 1800; Albina, May 3, 1803; Joseph, Jr., 
May 29, 1800; Bethuel, Sept. 13, 1809. 

1. Levi mar. Wealthy Bates of Hawley, June, 181 (J, 
died Aug. 29, 1819. Had ojlx^ sonC Charles Lewis, born 
Dec. 2(1, 1819. • \;."-"-' ' 

2. Betsey mar. Ahaz Bobbins of Cummington, June 20, 
1817. 

3. Lovisa mar. James Snow of Cummington, May, 
1821. 

4. Albina mar. Norman White, June 20, 1821. 

5. Joseph Jr., mar. Annis Thayer, Sept. 17, 1829, died 
Dec. 19, 1880. Children: Albina, born April 7, 1831; Hul- 
dah, June 24, 1834, died Oct. 1, 1841; Joseph O., Oct. 14, 



MOSES HALLOCK. 141) 

1840. Albina mar. Samuel F. Bartlett of C'ummington, 
(second wife) Dec. 7, 1S(;5. — Josepli (). mar. Lucy L. Allen 
of Windsor, Dec. •■^4, ISi;;. Children: Edwin S.. ])orn Nov. 
11. 1S«)9; AlidaL., Aug. 14, ISTl, died in infancy: Lucy 
A.. Dec. S, 1875; Joseph A., Oct. -28, 1877: Mary A.. July 
7, 1870; Albert O., July Hi, 1887.— Edwin S. mar. Emma 
A. Gardner, Nov. Kl. 18!»(). 

(i. Bethuel mar. Sarah Stock well. Dec. 8, 1831. Had 
one son, Levi W., born Feb. 28, is;>;{. Married Mary J. 
Stowell of Hinsdale, Mass., Sept. 15, ISO!). No children. 
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 188;). and served five 
years. Sarah, vv^ife of Bethuel, died Nov. I'-i. 1S51. For a 
second wife he married Mrs. Julia A. M. Joy. widow of 
Charles Joy, May (I, 1S5'2. They reside on the homestead 
where his father Josej)!! lived. 

MOSES HALLOCK. 

Rev. Moses Hallocdv was a grandson of Noah Hallock, 
born KJIHi, and died 177.'5. His son William was born 17-")(>, 
and died Oct. 2\, IS 15. He had two sons, Jeremiah and 
Moses, and at least six daughters, one of whom, Esther, 
married Rev. Josiah Hayden, and was the mother of Jo- 
siah Jr. and Hon. Joel Hayden of Williamsburg, Mass. 
Moses was born in Brookliaven, L. L. Feb. IC, 17'i(). Li- 
stalled over the Plainiield church in 179"-;;. Married Mar- 
garet Allen, who was born at Chilmark, Martha's Vine- 
yard, March 22, 17(30, and died Dec. 29, 18;35. The follow- 
ing is an extract from a letter from Mr. Hallock to his ab- 
sent sons, informing then) of the death of their mother: 
" PlainfieM, Dec. 30, 1835. My dear sons and daughters: 
Yesterday, about half-i)ast eleven, your mother died. But 
it seemed more like (^uiet sleep than death. A fortnight 



150 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

ago to-day she suddenly became speechless and helpless. 
Martha and I laid her on the bed. Dr. Shaw came very 
soon, and said it was a shock of paralysis. He visited her 
daily, and Mrs. Arnold Streeter and Mrs. Salem Streeter 
kindly assisted day and night in the care of her till she 
died. She had her reason almost or quite till the last." 
A short time before his death he committed to the flames 
all his manuscripts except a few which he might still wish 
to use; and when his only daughter, who was the solace of 
his declining years, seconding the desire of her brothers, 
requested that he would prepare at least an outline of the 
facts of his history, he replied, " No, Martha; the absent 
sons might wish to see it, but there is nothing remarkable 
about me." He died most peacefully, as befitted his peace- 
ful life, on the evening of July 17, 1837. On the second 
day after his death, his funeral took place, the sermon be- 
ing preached by Rev. Dr. Theophilus Packard of Shel- 
burne. Of the bereaved church, only one who was a mem- 
ber at the time of his installation, survived him, the ven- 
erable Deacon James Richards. As the face of the aged 
pastor was uncovered that the people might approach and 
take their final leave until the resurrection, the aged dea- 
con, now entirely blind, was led to the cof&n, placed his 
hand gently on the forehead of him with whom he had for 
forty-five years shared the burden and heat of the gospel 
day, and stood, pouring out a flood of tears, till constrained 
to retire, he turned away, saying, " Farewell for time." 
Mention has already been made of the classical school 
taught by Mr. Hallock in his (l,welling-house in Chap. IV 
of this work. In the records of Williams College it is 
said that for a long time in the early struggles of that in- 
stitution, the question of how many students were to enter 



MOSES HALLOCK. 151 

at the beginning of each college year (lei)ende(l in a great 
measure upon the number Mr. Hallock could furnish. 
Half the class were not infrequently from his school. The 
cost of board and tuition in this institution was one dollar 
per week. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, the eminent historian, 
is our authority for these statements. It is a well authen- 
ticated fact that John Brown of Harper's Ferry notoriety 
was at one time a member of this school. Tradition says 
that his ancestors lived in the neighboring town of Savoy. 
The children of Moses Hallock were William A., born 
June 2, 17!)-!:; Martha, Feb. 2-1, ir'.Hi; Leavitt, Jan. 21, IT'JS; 
Gerard, March IS, 1800, and Homan. 

1. William A. graduated at Williams in isr.). studied 
divinity at Andover and while thin-e was chosen agent, 
and afterwards assistant secretary of the American Tract 
Society, then located at Andover. Assisted in the forma- 
tion of the same society at New York in 1825, and was 
chosen the first corresponding secretary and general agent. 
He held the office of secretary until liis death, which oc- 
curred some ten years since. He married Fanny Lathrop 
and had two daughters, Harriet and Frances. 

2. Martha never married. Died in Plainfield. May 22, 
1852. 

3. Leavitt settled in town, and married Elizabeth Snell 
of Cummington, Aug., 182!). At this time, persons intend- 
ing marriage, must, according to law, be "cried;" that is, 
they must notify the town clerk of their intention at least 
three weeks previous to the intended marriage. It was 
then his duty to enter the same on the records, and each 
Sabbath afterward, for three weeks in succession, when 
the people were assembled at churcli, just before the open- 
ing of service, he arose and gravely anncninced the same 



152 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

to the congregation. The year of Leavitt's marriage he 
was himself town clerk, and it became his embarrassing 
duty to "cry" himself. He proved himself however equal 
to the occasion, and when the Sabbath arrived and the 
people were assembled, stood up and bravely announced, 
"Marriage intended, between Leavitt Hallock of Plain- 
field and Elizabeth Snell of Cummington ." He served as 
town clerk two years, was commissioned a Justice of the 
Peace in 1834, and represented the town in the Legislature 
in 1849. He was also for some years Postmaster. He was 
a very energetic man, of great business capacity. He 
utilized the water privilege and established the settlement 
just over Plainfield line in the town of Hawley, which still 
bears his name. He erected several dams, commencing 
about 18;36, and established a large tannery there, saw- 
mills, &c. He also erected and operated a store and board- 
ing-house, doing a successful business until 1S40, when the 
tannery was burned, Feb. 11. This was rebuilt in 
1848 but never operated and the place in a few years 
went to decay. He was instrumental in obtaining the 
laying out and construction of several important new 
roads. He was a very persistent man, not easily 
daunted by obstacles, and rarely failed in what he un- 
dertook. He erected the house and outbuildings and 
made many handsome improvements on the place lately 
owned by Dea. J. Barber, which he then owned and occu- 
pied. About 1854 he removed to Amherst, Mass., where 
he did quite a business in real estate. He died at the home 
of his son, Leavitt H., in West Winsted, Conn., Oct. 16, 
1875. His wife died Dec. 10, 1877, aged 74. Children: 
Fanny and Eliza, twins, born May 12, 1830; William A., 
Aug. 27, 1832 ; Sarah, May 3, 1836, died Feb. 16, 1837; 




LEAVITT HALLOCK. 

AT 60. 



MOSES HALLOCK. 153 

Moses, burn Nov., is;]9, died Sept. o, l.S-iH; Leavitt H., 
Aug. 15, l<Slt>. — Fanny mar. Rev. Henry M. Hazeltine 
about 1855. — Eliza mar. Thos. H. Rouse of Windsor, 
Conn., Sept. K!, 1.S51. 

William A. entered the ministry. Was pastor of the 
church in Gilead, Conn. Afterwards jn-eached in Kiantone 
and other places in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. For twelve 
years, from 1875 to 1887, had charge of the Cong. Church 
in Bloomtield, Conn. He married Clara M. Hall of James- 
town, N. Y., Sept. HI, 18(;0. Children: Nellie E., lately 
graduated at Smith College, Northampton, and William 
Hall, a graduate of Amherst College; at present a member 
of Berlin University, Berlin, Germany. 

Leavitt H. also entered the ministry. Was for eleven 
years pastor of the Cong. Church at West Winsted, Conn. 
Six years pastor at Portland, Maine. Now pastor of the 
First Cong. Church at Waterville, Me. Married Martie 
B.Butler of Brooklyn, N. Y., June 11, 18(;7. She died 
Oct. 2, 187o. Children: Lillian H. and Harry Butler. 
Lillian studied at Wellesley College and is now teaching 
High School at Hallowell, Me. Harry is in class of '!);3 at 
Amherst College. — Leavitt H. married for a second wife 
Nellie M. W^ebster of Portland, Oct. 3, 1888. 

4. Gerard graduated at Williams College in 1810. En- 
gaged in teaching for awhile but soon went to Boston 
and started a newspaper called the " Boston Telegraph." 
This after one year was merged in the Boston Recorder. 
He continued to edit the united papers until 1826, when he 
sold out his interest to Rev. Asa Rand, and removed to N. 
Y. city, where he became one of the editors and proprie- 
tors of the N. Y. Observer. He afterwards became editor 
and j)r(jprietor of the Journal of Commerce, which he con- 



154 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

ducted ably for nearly forty years. Later, having removed 
his residence to New Haven, Conn., he paid nearly |;30,- 
000 out of a total expense of $35,000 incurred in building 
the South Cong. Church and chapel in that city. — He mar- 
ried Eliza Allen of Chilmark. Deceased Jan. 4, 18()6. Had 
two sons, Wm. Holmes, born Aug. 18, 182G, and Charles, 
March lo, 18;34.— Wm. H. mar. Julia Mack of Plainfield, 
Sept. 3, 1851. Is at present assistant editor of the "Iron 
Age." Both sons were connected with the Journal of 
Commerce for many years in an editorial capacity. Charles 
was connected with The " Forest and Stream " as editor 
from 1873 to 1880, and is the author of a number of valu- 
able works, among which are the following: " Fishing 
Tourist," published in 1873; "Camp Life in Florida," 
1870; " Sportsman's Gazetteer," 1877; " Vacation Rambles 
in Michigan," 1877; " Our New Alaska," a very interesting 
work, 1886; "Salmon Fisher," 18!)(). He married Amelia 
J. Wardell of Newark, N. J. Visits Plainfield nearly 
every summer, usually remaining several weeks. He was 
the founder of the town of Hallock, county-seat of Kittson 
county, Minnesota, at present the most flourishing locality 
in the Red River Valley. His portrait was received too 
late to be indexed. 

5. Homan, youngest son of Moses, in 1826 went as a 
missionary printer to the island of Malta, in the Mediter- 
ranean, and some years after to Smyrna. When the Ameri- 
can Bible Society commenced the publication of the Arabic 
Bible in New York, it is said that only two persons in the 
world understood the manufacture of the Arabic type. 
These were an aged German and Homan Hallock. About 
this time he returned to Plainfield where with the assist- 
ance of his son Samuel he carried on the manufacture of 




CHARLES HALLOCK. 



JOHN HAMLEN. 155 

the Arabic type. When after a few years the work was 
transferred to Beyrout, Syria, Samuel went there also and 
took the position which his father had occupied, and is 
still engaged in that work. 

Homan, in the course of his travels, became acquainted 
with and married an English lady, Mrs. Elizabeth John- 
son, a most estimable woman, who deceased Sept. 18, 1875, 
aged seventy-six. They had five sons, Moses, Homan B. , Ge- 
rard J., Samuel and Wm. A., and two daughters, Margaret 
and Sarah. Margaret married Rev. T. L. Byington, May 30, 
1858, and for more than twenty years they were mission- 
aries among the Bulgarians and at C(mstantinoi)le. Sarah 
married Chas. C. Streeter, May 11, 185'.». They reside in 
Cummington. Her father, aged nearly ninety, makes his 
home with them. 

JOHN HAMLEN. 

[The writer has beeu able by referring to the printed record of the Ilamleu family, 
compiled by the late Dea. Freeman Hamlen, and kindly loaned for the purpose by 
his widow, Mrs. Martha Hamlen, to prepare a more complete history of this family 
than of any other which he has attempted.] 

The Hamlens are of French origin; they came to Eng- 
land about 1080. James Hamblen' and his wife Anne emi- 
grated to this country in 1(J4(), and settled in Barnstable, 
Mass. He died in 1G90. 

John'', son of James', born in Barnstable, June 30, 10-1:4, 
married Sarah Bearse, August, 1607. 

Benjamin', son of John' and Sarah, born in Barnstable, 
Feb. 11, lOSO, settled in Eastham, Mass., in 1710; married 
for his second wife, Anna Mayo, great grand-daughter of 
Gov. Prince. 

Isaac*, son of Benjamin"' and Anna, born in 17'-i8; mar- 
ried Sarah Shaw of Abinyton. 



156 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

John", son of Isaac'' and Sarah, born in Bridgewater, 
Mass., Oct. 32, 1703; married Sally Towne. 

The name of Hamlen has been variously written: often 
Hainhleti, and as often Ham//?; and Hamlen. 

In the year 177<), John Hamlen, then thirteen years old, 
removed with his parents to Cummington, three years be- 
fore its incorporation as a town. At the age of sixteen he 
entered the Revolutionary army and served about six 
months. He was at the time of his death the last of the 
Revolutionary pensioners in Plainfield. He married Sally 
Town (born in Sutton, Mass.) at Windsor. Mass., 1790, and 
settled in Plainfield the same year. He was by trade a 
carpenter and several of the first houses were built by him 
or under his supervision. The house which he built and 
occupied on his homestead where E. A. Atkins now lives, 
is still in good condition. In 1800 he was chosen one of 
the selectmen and served for nineteen years. He represent- 
ed the town in General Court at Boston in 1813, Ml and '15; 
also in 1823 and 182(). He made the journey to Boston on 
horseback, and during the May sessions turned his horse 
out to pasture in the near vicinity, and at the end of the 
session rode home again. Two other representatives were 
at the time of their election living in the John Hamlen 
house, viz. : his son Freeman and Edwin A. Atkins, the 
I)resent member from this town. His wife died Oct. 11, 1818, 
aged forty-five. For a second wife he married Mrs. Doro- 
thy Gove of Worthington, Nov. 10, 1819. She died Sept. 21, 
1847, aged sixty-nine. Although for many years in feeble 
health he lacked but a few months of being ninety years of 
age at his death, which occurred April 15, 1852. At the age 
of seventy-five he publicly professed his faith in Christ as 
a Savior, and united with the Plainfield church. He had 



JOHN HAMLEN. 157 

however for some years previously entertained a Christian 
hope. Chihlrenof John and Sally Hanilen were John, Jr., 
born July 20, 1701, died Feb. -iO, 170-2; Orren, horn Dec. 
2, 1702; Reuben, May 10, 1705; Clarissa. July .5, 1707; 
Nabby, Feb. 10, ISOO; Lyman, Jan. 14, lS();i; Freeman, 
May 8, 1805; Polly, Sept. 15. 1807; Horace. Aug. 2o, 1810; 
Jolm, Jr., (2d) Dec. 3. 1814. 

2. Orren died Sept. 14, 181:}. 

;5. Reuben settled in Plainfield and was five times mar- 
ried. His first wife was Rhoda Richards. Married Feb. 
15, 1816, died Dec. 20, 182(i. — Second. Fanny Warner, mar. 
April 17, 1828, died July 22, 18:30.— Third, Elizabeth Jones, 
mar. Nov. :3, 18:^0, died Dec. 11, 1851.— Fourth, Mrs. Eu- 
nice, widow of Abram S. Tirrell, mar. Jan. 1, 1854. died 
Jan. 1, 18(;4.— Fifth, Mrs. Pamela Little of Shelburne 
Falls, mar. Sept. 2:3, 180(). She survived him. He died at 
Shelburne Falls, Mass., Dec. 2S, 18(;r,. Children of Reuben 
and Rhoda were Marilla R., born June 4, 1817. died Oct. 
7, 1837; Flora A., March 20. 1810, died June 12, 1840; Mar- 
tha A., March 2^, 1821; Shepard L., Feb. 14, 182:3; Laura 
B.. April, 1825, died Oct. 14, 182«;. Children of Reuben 
and Fanny W. were Laura B., born April 27, 1829; Rosa- 
mond W., June 1, 1831, died Aug. 20, 1844; Alfred W., 
June 17, 1834; Albert Wallace, March 13, 1830.— Martha 

A. mar. Wm. C. Bissell of Twinsburg, O., March 10, 1855, 
died Sept. 8, 1857.— Shepard L. mar. Elizabeth B. Valen- 
tine of Cincinnati, Nov. 10, 1850, died May (i, bsod. — Laura 

B. mar. James C. Bellman of Cincinnati, Dec. 22, 1853. — 
Alfred W. mar. Harriet N. Stratton of Jeffersonville, Ind., 
Nov. 10, 180.3, died June (I, 1872.— All)ert Wallace mar, 
Rachel Mercer of Princeton, 111., Oct. 27, 1870.— None of 
Reuben's children .settled in Plainfield. 



158 HISTORY OF PLAlNFlELi?. 

4. Clarissa mar. Otis Pratt, Jan. IS, 1817, died Dec. 13, 
1831. 

5. Nab by mar. John Ford of Cnmmington, Sept. 3, 
1818; died Sept. 2U, 1833. 

G. Lyman mar. Lucy Flint of West Bloomfield, N. Y., 
183r.. Children: Sarah E., born May 20, 1827; Mary M., 
April 3, 1830; Amelia, March 29, 1833; Horace, June 8, 
1835, died Feb. 8, 1830; Horatio B., Aug. 1, 1837; William 
v., Aug. 39, 1840; Martha A., Feb. 2, 1843; Alice Flora, 
June 35, 184(1, died Jan. 35, 1854; Edwin C, Jan. 11, 1849, 
died Nov. 14, 18(i5: Frederick B., July 31, 1853.— Sarah E. 
mar. John C. Johns of West Bloomfield, N. Y., Sept. 7, 
1848.— Mary M. mar. Russell Bradley, Nov. 13, 1854.— 
Amelia mar. Wm. D. Quick, March 29, 1854. — Horatio B. 
mar. Harriet Brown of Clarkston, Mich., Dec. 17, 1801. 
— Martha A. mar. Dennis Collins of Clarkston, Mich. , May 
2, 1865. — Frederick B. mar. Lizzie Weeks of Pontiac, Mich. 

7. Freeman mar. Clarissa Whiting, June 4, 1839. She 
deceased Oct. 13, 1847. For a second wife he married Mar- 
tha Taylor of Hawley, Nov. 30, 1848. Was chosen one of 
the Selectmen in 1846 and served six years. Represented 
the town in the Legislature in 1850 and 1851. Li 1853 he 
was chosen town clerk, an office which he held for twenty- 
three years in succession, at the end of which time he de- 
clined further service. During his term of service he in- 
dexed all the town records of births, marriages, deaths and 
intentions of marriage, which had not been done previous 
to 1864, adding many that had been omitted, particularly 
births, thus rendering the records of far greater value. 
For this labor he asked no compensation. Was chosen 
deacon of the Congregational church Aug. 30, 1844, serving 
most acceptably until his resignation in 1867. He was also 




,'« f 




^ ^^ 



JOHN HAMLEN. 159 

for many years clerk of the church and compiled the last 
church manual published in 1884. He and his brother 
Reuben were for many years leaders of the church choir, 
both having excellent voices. Freeman remained on the 
old homestead until about 185/), when he removed to the 
village. He died on the morning of Jan. li;, 1880, while 
seated in the family sitting room. He had been in feeble 
health for some time, and his death, though sudden, was 
not wholly unexpected. He was a man of thorough hones- 
ty and sound judgment, and was worthy of and received 
the confidence of the entire community. Humility, sin- 
cerity and charity were marked features of his Christian 
character. Truly, in many ways, " he being dead yet 
speaketh." He had one child only, a son by his first wife, 
Edward F, born June 0, 1842. He served as first Sergeant 
in Co. I 52d Mass. in the war for the Union. Was for a 
number of years after his return from the army in business 
in Northampton. Is now employed at the State House, 
Boston, as Executive Clerk for the Governor and Council, 
a position which he has held for some fifteen years. He 
married Helen A. Church of N. Y. City, June !), 1808. 
Franklin Church, son of Edward F. and Helen A., was 
born in Boston, Sept. 10, 187(5. 

8. Polly mar. Mason Ames, May 12, 18:^0, died in Ches- 
ter, Ohio, March 18, 1847. 

0. Horace mar. Clarissa Bancroft of Granville, Ohio, 
May 1, 1834. She deceased Aug. 8, 1875. For a second 
wife he mar. Mrs. Lizzie Gavnen of Gratiot, Ohio, July 
6, 187(5. One son, Samuel B., born Feb. 20, 18o5, mar. 
Lydia Clark of Easthampton, Mass., Sept. 16, 185(5. 

10. John Jr. (2d) died in Granville, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1844. 



160 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 



JACOB JONES. 



Jacob Jones, son of John and Ruth, was born in Wey- 
mouth, Mass., Nov. 1770. His father died in ISOO and his 
mother in 1814, aged seventy-four. He mar. Elizabetli Whi- 
ton, sister of Maj. David Whiton, Nov. 37, 1800. They lived 
on the farm now occupied by his grandson, William Jones. 
Died Aug. 22, 1861. Children: Addison, born 1801, died 
Oct. 4. 1832; Jacob Jr., born July !), 1802; Merritt, Feb. 
19, 1804; Elizabeth, Dec. 25, 1805; Nancy, Aug. 29, 1807; 
Sarah, April 22, 1809; Minerva, July 15, 1811; Hannah, 
Feb. 3, 1815. 

2. Jacob Jr. mar. Lucy H. Howes of Ashfield, March, 
1828. Died suddenly while at work Dec. 15, 1873. Chil- 
dren: Mary Christina, born July 28, 1829; William, May 
13, 1832; Nancy W., June 1, 1834; David, July 20, 1838, 
died June 18, 1845; Samuel W., born Aug. 26, 1842.— M. 
Christina mar. Ansel K. Bradford, Sept. 27, 1849. Reside 
in Florence, Mass.^ — William mar. Caroline M. Field of 
Windsor, Mass., March, 1856. One daughter, Anna M., 
born Oct. 9, 1868, mar. Frederic M. Rice of Ashfield, 
April 13, 1887.— Nancy W. mar. Seth W. Clark, Sept. 3, 
1855. — Samuel W. served in the civil war in the 46th Mass. 
After his return from the army he removed to Lockport, 
111., where he mar. Eliza Paddock, Dec. 25, 1867. 
Children: Hattie, born Oct. 9, 1868, since deceased, and 
William, born 1872. 

3. Merritt mar. Celia Gardner, June 30, 1825. She 
died May 22, 1845. For a second wife he mar. Mrs. 
Chloe R. K. Ford, widow of William Ford, July 2(j, 1846. 
Served as one of the Selectmen in 1863, died Dec. 30, 1884. 
Children by his first wife, Rozelia M., born Aug. 31, 1830, 



ISAAC JOY. 161 

died July 34, 1840; Sarah A., born Fel). 22, 1S42, died Oct. 
7, 1857; also two others who died in infancy. 

4. Elizabeth mar. Reuben Hamlen, (third wife) Nov. 

3, 1839, died Dec. 11, 1S51. 

5. Nancy mar. Setli S. Williams of Ashfield, Oct. 5, 
182G, and is the only surviving member of this family. 

(i. Sarah mar. Samuel Williams of Ashfield, Oct. 
24, 1833. 

7. Minerva mar. Chester Clark, Dec. 1, 1831, died 
July 22, 1885. 

8. Hannah mar. John Clark, Dec, 1834. 

ISAAC JOY. 

Isaac Joy was a pioneer settler from Weymouth, Mass. 
Lived a short distance south of where W. E. Shaw now 
lives. He had the honor of serving the warrant calling 
the first district meeting, it being directed to him as a 
" principle inhabitant." Was chosen one of the Selectmen 
in 1788, serving two years. His wife, Hannah, died March 

4, 1797. For a second wife mar. Mrs. Hannah Hatha- 
way of Adams, Oct., 1799. Died July 20, 1801. Chil- 
dren: Isaac, Jr., born 170 1; Joseph, 1703; Mary, who 
mar. Ezekiel Eldred, and Hannah, who mar. John Tay- 
lor of Hawley, Nov. 22, 1810. All these children were 
born in Weymouth, Mass. — Isaac, Jr., mar. Ruth Tir- 
rell, Dec, 1785, died March 5, 1843. Children: William, 
born Dec 23, 1786; Zenas, Jan. 20, 1790; Lucinda, Nov. 
29, 1790; Alonzo, May 17, 1801; Susanna, (known as Susan) 
Feb. 27, 1803; Harriet, Nov. 2, 1804; Isaac, (3d) June 9, 
1815, and one who died in infancy. It is remarkable that 
there was a difference of nearly twenty-eight and one-half 
years in the ages of the oldest and youngest of this family. 

11 



162 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

1. William mar. Sally Campbell, March, 1810. Chil- 
dren: Fordyce, born Sept. 19, 1811; Lydia, Feb. 4, 
1814; Horace, Feb. 23, 1816; Rozina, May 22, 1818; Wil- 
liam, Jr., Feb. 23, 1821; Edwin, June 7, 1823. 

2. Zenas mar. Abigail Everett of Northampton. The 
birth of one child only appears on the records, Lewis, 
born Jan. 25, 1812. 

3. Lncinda mar. Quartus Taylor. 

4. Alonzo mar, Lois Kingman of Hawley. Children: 
James T., Horatio and Julia A. His wife deceased, 
and for a second he mar. Minerva Smitli of Hawley. 
Children: Caroline A., born Oct. 28, 1846, died Oct. 13, 
1850; Emily, born Sept. 20, 1848, died Sept. 2, 1850 ; Wil- 
liam F., born April 6, 1853. — James T. mar. Mary J. 
Taylor, Feb. 24, 1853.— Julia A. mar. C. Thayer of 
Hadley. 

5. Susan mar. James Cook, Jan. 24, 1833. 

6. Harriet mar, Abishur Nash, Jan. 11, 1827. 

7. Isaac (3d) removed to Cambridgeport, Mass., where 
he married and now resides. 

Joseph Joy, son of Isaac 1st, mar. Molly Porter of Ab- 
ington. She died Jan J 9, 1826, aged sixty -five. For a second 
wife he mar. Mrs. Mehitable Brown of Abington, Sept. 1829. 
She died March 15, 1836, aged sixty-seven. He died Nov. 22, 
1839. His children were Clarissa, born Feb, 21, 1788; 
Leonard, March 14, 1790; James, Sept, 1, 1793; Polly, May 
10, 1790; Merilla, Aug, 20, 1800; Electa, Feb, 11, 1803; and 
one who died in infancy, 

1. Clarissa mar, Levi Campbell, June 14, 1810, died 
Dec. 26, 1856. 

2, Leonard mar. Polly Warner, daughter of Abel, Nov. 
19 ISll, Died Jan. 15,1881. For some years kept the 



ISAAC JOY. 1G3 

liotel known as tlie "Hampshiro House." Children : Lncre- 
tia, born Aug 10, ISV), died March 17, 1818; Cordelia, born 
May 37, 1815; Sarah M., March 28. 1817; Emeline and 
Caroline, (twins) June 15, 1819; Francis W., May 1.'], 1822; 
Charles, Oct. IG, 1824; Electa P., 1827; Lorenzo W., born 
in Worthington, 1832. — Cordelia mar. Rush Gurney of 
Cummington, second wife, al)out 18-)r). — Sarah M. mar. 
John M. Crane of Washington, Mass., Sept. 10, 18:38. 
— Caroline mar. Jonas Holden of Hawley, May 10, 1841. — 
Francis W. mar. Rachel Chapel of Washington, Mass., 
April, 1845, died Aug. 17, 1887. — Charles mar. Julia M. 
Sanderson, Nov., 1848, died Aug. 12, 1850. — Electa P. mar. 
Reuben Scott, Jr., of Hawley, June 3, 1847. — Lorenzo W. 
mar. Delia R. Colburn, Jan., 1855. 

3. James mar. Mary Whiton, June 10, 1818. Children: 
Mary Ann P., born June 23, 1810; Amelia Antoinette, 
Nov. 2, 1823; Clara H., May 30, 1830. Mary Ann mar. 
Elisha Bassett, now Clerk of the U. S. District Court at 
Boston, Sept. 5, 1843. — Antoinette mar. William Bassett, 
April 2, 1845. They reside in Heath, Mass.— Clara H. 
mar. Benj. F. Hallett of Boston, (second wife) Aug. 4, 
1858. He was the senior member of the Hallett & Davis 
Piano Coinpany, and deceased several years since. Mrs, 
Hallett now resides in Florence, Mass. 

4. Polly mar. Verus Patrick, March 27, 1822. 

5. Merilla nuir. Dura Torrey, Dec. 4, 1821. 

G. Electa mar. Levi Clark, Oct. 2, 1828, both of 
whom are still living in town. 

JACOB NASH. 

Jacob Nash was 1)orn in Weymouth, Mass., in 17G0. 
Served through the entire war of the R((Vohition, although 
at the beginning only fifteen years of age, and came to 



1(34 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

Plainfield directly after the close of the war and settled on 
the farm now occupied by Stephen Parsons. In 1788 he 
mar. Joan Reade of Abington, whose English ancestors 
came to America in the Mayflower. She died Sept. 8, 1840, 
aged eighty-six. He died April 14, 1851. Their children 
were Sybil, born Aug. 19, 1789; Arvin, Nov. 19, 1790; 
Roxana, Aug. 22, 1792, died Jan. 20, 1868; Eunice, April 
30, 1795; Mandana, Jan. 19, 1800. Sybil and Roxana never 
married. — Arvin mar. Lucinda Vinton in 1813. Chil- 
dren : Eunice V., Martha J., Spencer and Maria S. Eu- 
nice and Spencer died in cliildhood. 

Martha J. mar. Chas. A. Lamb, Sept. 8, 1853. She 
has since become well known in the literary world. Among 
her notable productions are " The History of the City of 
New York," in two folio volumes, considered in many re- 
spects the most remarkable city history ever written; " The 
Homes of America," published by the Appletons in 1879; 
" Memorial of Dr. J. D. Russ ; " "Wall Street in History," 
thirteen volumes for children, which have gone through 
many editions ; "Spicy," a novel, celebrated for contain- 
ing the best description extant of the great Chicago fire; 
her work on the coast survey used as a text book in some 
of our colleges, and upwards of one hundred and fifty im- 
portant historical and other papers in leading magazines. 
Early in 1883 Mrs. Lamb was made editor-in-chief of the 
" Magazine of American History," a position she still 
holds (1891.) It has won the distinction of being one of 
the best edited and best conducted magazines of its kind 
in the world, and is in all the first-class public libraries of 
the English speaking cities of three continents, a valued 
authority in all leading literary circles. Mrs. Lamb's work 
is of the highest character and is recognized as such among 



JACOB NASH. 165 

tlie most eminent scliolars in all parts of the world. Slie 
has been elected to membership in twenty-six historical 
and learned societies in this country and Europe, ^lonors 
never before conferred on any American woman. Her 
residence for the past twenty-five years has been in New 
York City. 

Maria S. mar. J. S. Whitmarsh, (second wife) April 
10, 1805. Reside in Florence, Mass. 

Arvin's wife having deceased he mar. for a second 
Mrs. Dorothy Covell of Buckland. Children : James A. 
and Mary L. — James A. mar. Mary A. Torrey, Sept. 
IG, 18G0. He settled in town and has been for about 
twenty-five years proprietor of the grist-mill standing near 
the site of the old mill formerly owned l)y Dea. Joseph 
Beals, "the Mountain Miller." Was chosen one of the 
Selectmen in 1874, and served nine years, a part of the 
time as chairman. Children : Elmer E..born in Chicago; 
Frank E., born July 25, 1800; Charles A., Aug. 14, 1870 ; 
Lewis S., Sept. 20, 1884. — Mary L. mar. John Baker 
of Savoy. He recently deceased in Adams, Mass., where 
his widow still resides. — Arvin Nash's second wife died in 
1841, and he mar. Lucretia Pixley, Sept. 20, 1842. He 
died July 12, 1800. — Eunice, daughter of Jacob, mar. 
David Crittenden of Charlemont, Sept. 1, 1813. — Mandana, 
daughter of Jacob, mar. Jacob Pratt, May 20, 1828, 
and is now living in South Amherst, Mass. , at the ad- 
vanced age of 91. 

BARNABAS PACKARD. 

Barnabas Packard was born in Cummington in 17G4, 
his father's name being also Barnabas. He mar. Mary 
Nash of Plainfield, July, 1781), and settled on the farm 



166 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

wliere Thos. K. Wlieeler lives, south of Orriii Tirrell's, 
died April 30, 1847. Cliildren : Aclisali, bom April 26, 
1790, died June 21, 1791 ; Sally, born July 3, 1792, died 
April 25, 1868, unmarried; Barnabas, Jr., born June 10, 
1795; Patty, Aug. 25, 1797; Ruby, Sept. 29, 1799; Norton, 
Nov. 22, 1802 ; Milton, Jan. 10, 1805 ; Roswell, Feb. 15, 
1808, and one who died in infancy June 14, 1794. 

Barnabas, Jr. mar. Ruth Snow, died at Cameron, 
Mo., in 1872. Children: Polly N., born July 18, 1819, 
died Nov. 10, 1868, unmarried ; Cynthia, born Nov. 27, 
1820 ; Wm. H., Oct. 1, 1822 ; Patty (or Martha) Aug. 18, 
1824; Irene, Sept, 20, 1826 ; Mary Jane, Oct. 22, 1828 ; 
Roswell Clifford, Feb. 4, 1831; Chalmer O., July, 1834 ; 
Charles Edwin, March 19, 1838 ; H. Clark, Feb. 20, 1840. 

Cynthia mar. Aaron G. Ayres, Dec, 1841. 

William H. mar. Rachel B. Tillson of Cummington, 
April, 1847, and settled in Windsor, Children: Cornelia, 
Joseph, Tillson, Luther W., Cyrus W., B. Franklin, 
Fred, Mary and Henry C. Rachel, wife of Wm, H., died 
Jan. 30, 1881, For a second wife he mar. Mrs. Mary 
Ann (Dyer) Brackett, Oct. 26, 1887. Of the children of 
Wm. H., Cornelia, Joseph and Tillson (deceased) settled 
in Canada. — Luther mar. Lucy O. Stetson, Oct, 18, 
1882. Children : Minnie R,, Annie E, and Mary E,— Cy- 
rus W, mar, Nellie Mason, April 14, 1878. She deceased, 
and for a second wife he mar, Dora A, Mills. Their 
children are John H., Maggie A., Joseph W., Charles, 
Marion E. and Robert B. — B. Franklin mar. Julia E. Beals, 
of Goshen, June 25, 1890, one son, Joseph A. Fred died 
Aug. 12, 1884, aged twenty-four, Mary died July 13, 1887, 
aged twenty-five, — Henry C. mar. Bertha B. Gurney, Dec. 
14, 1890. — Martha, daughter of Barnabas, Jr., mar, Charles 



BARNABAS PACKARD. 1G7 

T. Ford of Windsor, Dec, 184:3. — Irene mar. Horatio 
Lyon, April, 1847. — Mary Jane mar. Zebedee H. Ran- 
dall of Cumraington, March, 1852. — Clifford mar. El- 
nora J. Vining of Cummington, Feb. 25, 1800, and settled 
in Missouri. Children: Emma E., born March !), 1870 ; 
Geo. C, March 13, 1873 ; Leonard C, Dec. 8, 1875; Etta 
B., Dec. 13, 1877; E. Edwin, Feb. 1, 1880; Jennie S., Aug. 
5, 1882. — Chalmer mar. Sophia Dean of Savoy, April 1, 
1863 ; settled in Missouri. Have one son, Herbert M., born 
July, 18G7. — Chas. Edwin mar. Araminta Utter of Ohio 
in 18G7, settled in Missouri. Children : Wm. B., born 
Sept. 19, 1870; Clark S., Dec. 20, 1873; Eva L., Aug. 10, 
1876 ; Martha P., Feb. 5, 1880 ; Bessie D., 1884 ; Laura E., 
Aug. 10, 1886, and an infant daughter who died in 1870. 
— These three brothers all reside at Cameron, Mo., Edwin 
being cashier of the Farmers' Bank at that place. — H. 
Clark mar. Melona C. Dawes, June 4, 1865. One daugh- 
ter, Vesta D., born Aug. 28, 1866, mar. Arthur B. Rich- 
ards of Cummington, June 20, 1890. 

Patty, daughter of Barnabas, mar. Nathan Beals, 
July 13, 1815. 

Norton, son of Barnabas, mar. Mary Ann Thompson, 
1828. Children : George W., born Jan. 30, 1820 ; Philena 
M., Nov. 27, 1834; Marilla B., April 25, 1837 ; John K., 
Aug. 16, 1839. 

Milton, son of Barnabas, mar. Charlotte Parker, Jan. 
7, 1828. Children : Lurinda, born Aug. 30, 1830 ; Lyman, 
April 15, 1833 ; Leavitt, Oct. 19. 1835 ; Laura, Jan. 23, 
1843; Lozene E., Jan. 18, 1845; Franklin, Dec. 12, 1852; 
Lyman and Leavitt went West and died there.— Lozene 
mar. Mina Wheeler. They reside in Windsor. Have 
several children. — Franklin mar. Nellie Whitman. 
Reside in Cummington and have quite a family. 



1G8 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

Roswell, son of Barnabas, mar. Susan Bird of Wil- 
liamstown, July, 1832. Tliey had one daughter horn in 
Plainfiehi, Vesta, Oct. 9, 1833. 

JAMES RICHARDS, 

James Richards was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Whit- 
marsh) Richards, the fourth of a family of four sons 
and three daughters. He was horn in Eastern Massachu- 
setts, May 31, 1757. Was one of the earliest settlers and 
had seen service in the Revolutionary army. He was an 
educated man, of versatile talents, and throughout his ac- 
tive life was prominent in church and town affairs. Was 
one of the first two deacons chosen Nov. 15, 1792. Taught 
school in winter for many years. Was a fine singer and 
organized and led the first choir ; also taught singing 
schools in early times in this and adjoining towns. He 
was held in high esteem by the towns-people, and his 
opinion on any public question had the effect of law. One 
Sunday morning a new minister had preached, and as 
the congregation were passing out one asked another how 
he liked the sermon, " Oh, I don't know," he replied, " I 
haven't seen Deacon Richards yet." He was chosen one 
of the Selectmen in 1790 and served in that capacity 
twenty-one years. Only one has served the town in that 
office longer, the exception being Levi N. Campbell, who 
served twenty-two years. In 1797 he was chosen Town 
Clerk and served four years. Represented the District 
and Cummington in General Court in 1793, '98, and 1801, 
3 and 5, and after its incorporation as a town he was sent 
as its representative in 1811, '12 and '16. He was also a 
delegate to the Convention for Revising the Constitution 
in Nov., 1820. Was commissioned a Justice of the Peace 



JAMES RICHARDS. 169 

in 1802, an office at that time attended with far greater 
responsibilities than now, wliich office he held twenty- 
eight years. He was totally blind for some years previous 
to his death, which occurred Mcli. 1, 18-42. Mar. Lydia Shaw 
of Abington, sister of Josiah Shaw, May 1, 1780. She died 
Ang. 20, 1828, aged seventy-one. She is spoken of by tliose 
who remember her as a most excellent woman. The home- 
stead on which they settled and where they lived and died 
is that now occupied by A. B. Cole, the house now stand- 
ing being the same occupied by them. This was built be- 
fore 1800, probably, and was the birth-place of the writer. 
Their children were a daughter, born May 1, 1781, who 
died in infancy; Lydia, born May 1, 1782; James, Jr., 
Feb. 23, 1781; Joseph, Nov. G, 1785; Sarah, Aug. 15, 1787; 
Nancy Shaw, Jan. 5, 1790, died Dec. 20, 1794; William, 
Aug. 22, 1793; Jason, June 27, 179G, died May 1, 1798; 
Jason (2d) Aug. 31, 1798; Austin, Feb. 9, 1800. Of these, 
the first five were born before their settlement in Plain- 
field. — Lydia mar. Ebenezer Snell, Esq., of Cumming- 
ton, (second wife) Oct. 27, 1825, died June 26, 184G. 

James, Jr. graduated at Williams College in 1809. Stud- 
ied theology at Andover, graduating in 1812. While at col- 
lege he with four others, of whom Samuel J. Mills was the 
leader, became greatly interested in the subject of foreign 
missions and prayed into existence the American Board 
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In September, 
1811, he oft'ered his services to the Board as a missionary. 
After completing his theological studies he devoted con- 
siderable time to the study of medicine and surgery, with 
a view to increased usefulness among the heathen. He 
mar. Sarah Bardwell, May 31, 1815, and Oct. 23, 1815, 
they sailed for Ceylon, where they arrived after a voyage. 



170 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD, 

considered a prosjierous one, but which required five 
TTiontJis. After over six years of faithful labor, part of 
which time, however, Mr. Richards was greatly hindered 
by sickness, he died at Tillapilly, Ceylon, Aug. 3, 1832. 
A monument bearing suitable inscriptions in English and 
Tamul, marks his last resting place. His widow died 
April 26, 1825. 

Joseph mar. Mehitable Allen, April 4, 1809. He was 
a physician and located at Hillsdale, N. Y. Had one son, 
William, also a physician, for several years located in 
Cummington. Married Martha Brown of Peru. 

Sarah mar. John Mack, Oct. 27, 1808, died Jan. 25, 
1866. 

William studied for the ministry, graduated at Williams 
College in 1819, studied divinity at Andover, offered his 
services as a missionary, and was ordained at New Haven, 
Sept. 12, 1822. He mar. Clarissa Lyman, and they 
sailed for the Sandwich Islands, Nov. 19, 1822, arriving 
there in April, 1823. He became an influential adviser of 
the King of the islands, and after fifteen years at the work 
of civilizing and christianizing the people and aiding in 
translating the Bible into their language, he entered the 
service of their government and gave shape and direction 
to their politics. His first duty was to prepare a constitu- 
tion and code of laws for the nation, which remains, a last- 
ing monument to his memory. He then sailed for Europe 
and the United States as Minister Plenipotentiary of the 
King, to obtain from the great powers of the earth an ac- 
knowledgment of the Sandwich Islands as an independent 
kingdom. His credentials, handsomely engrossed on vel- 
lum, bearing the signature and seal of the king, are now 
in the possession of his neice, Mrs. Wm. Holmes Hallock. 



JAMES RICHARDS, 171 

Mr. Ricliards was accompanied to the United States by 
Prince Haalilio, the heir apparent to the Hawaiian tlirone, 
whose visit to Phiinfield will be remembered by a few. 
The prince died at sea on the retnrn passage. After Mr. 
Richards' return to the Sandwich Islands, he was for sev- 
eral years Minister of Public Instruction, and his labors 
were incessant. The king had perfect confidence in his 
judgment and considered him his best friend. His death, 
which occurred Nov. 7, 1847, was by them regarded as a 
national bereavement. 

Jason received as thorough an education as could be 
obtained at the common schools. He spent his life in 
Plainfield and cared for his parents until their death. He 
taught very successfully for many years in the schools of 
this and adjacent towns. Was chosen Town Clerk in 1833 
and held the office twelve years. He was a very plain and 
careful penman and very exact in making records. He rep- 
resented the town in the Legislature in 1841 and '42. About 
this time he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, an office 
which he held until a short time before his death, which oc- 
curred Aug. 7, 1885. It is somewhat remarkable that he pro- 
fessed Christ and united with the church at the advanced 
age of seventy-eight years, giving good evidence during 
the remainder of his life that he had indeed " passed from 
death unto life." He gave much attention to the study of 
common law and though he never took any regular course, 
was considered excellent authority by the people of the 
town in ordinary matters of law, being often consulted on 
legal subjects, and his opinions when given were very sel- 
dom wrong. Had he received a thorough legal education 
he would without doubt have been a shining light in that 
profession, for which he had great natural talents. He 



173 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

mar. Soj)liia Forsaitli of Deeriiig, N. H., Jan. 5, 1830. 
Children: Ann S., born Oct. 23,1830; James Forsaitli, 
July IG, 1833 ; William Austin, Jan. 37, 183G ; Laura 
Mack, July 18, 1838. 

James F. received a college education, studied medicine 
and is a successful physician in Andover, Mass. — William 
Austin graduated at Amherst College with the intention 
of entering the ministry, but while teaching in Williston 
Seminary, Easthampton, was attacked by typhoid fever, 
which terminated fatally Sept. 8, 1863, He was ill but a 
few days. The daughters, Ann S. and Laura M., were 
both successful teachers in the public schools for a number 
of years. Laura mar. Josiah H. Hunt, a native of 
Hawley, and removed to Gloucester, Mass., where her 
husband was for some years principal of one of the High 
Schools. Here she died Sejjt. 34, 1881, and her remains 
were brought here and laid beside those of her brother. 
The writer has her in grateful remembrance as a teacher 
for whom he had great admiration and respect and whom 
he firmly believed could not be excelled. 

Austin, youngest son of James (1st) was educated for 
the ministry, graduating at Amherst College in 1834. 
Married Maria C. Odiorne of Boston, Dec. 13, 1837. 
Settled in New Hampshire, where he spent a long and 
useful life in that work. 

JOSIAH SHAW. 

Josiah Shaw settled in Plainfield in 1793. He was then 
an energetic young man of twenty -nine years. He had 
previously prospected and purchased a tract of land, and 
in February of that year, he with his wife and three young 
children made the journey from Abington. He served in 



JOSIAH SHAW. 173 

the Revolutionary army and is said to have carried a 
musket and fouglit at tlie battle of Bunker Hill, and to 
have been a sergeant at Saratoga and witnessed the sur- 
render of Burgoyne; died Aug. 26. 1844, aged eighty-one. 
Children : Josiah, Jr. born in Abington, Nov. 13, 1785 ; 
Samuel, also born in Abington, May (I, 1700 ; Nancy, Feb. 
4, 1794; Dana, April 10, 1708; Freeman, Feb. 23, 1803. 
1. Josiah, Jr. mar. Lydia Noyes of Abington, died 
Dec. 13, 1803. Children : Louisa, born Nov, 27, 1808, died 
April 27, 1813 ; Mary Ann, born June 22, 1811 ; Washing- 
ton, Jan. 11, 1814 ; Lewis, Nov. 3, 1816 ; Julia Ann, Oct. 
25, 1818, died Oct. 3, 1850 ; Josiah, 3d, Oct. 3, 1820 ; Henry 
W., March 21, 1825 ; Eliza A., Aug. 29, 1827 ; Helen H., 
Nov. 22, 1829, died June 2, 1834.— Mary Ann mar. 
Elijah Warner, Jr.. Jan. 11, 1844, died Dec. 24, 1888.— 
Washington studied medicine, married and settled in Hay- 
' denville, where he practised his profession until his decease, 
some thirty years since. Had one son, Henry W., now 
living in Springfield, Mass. — Lewis remained on the farm 
and cared for his father and mother. He remained single 
until after the death of his parents, when he mar. 
Rachel C. Tuller of Haydenville, Nov. 16, 1864. Was 
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1854, and served in that 
office eighteen years in all, being for a number of years 
Chairman of the Board, which position he held at his 
death, April 16, 1884. He also served three years on the 
School Committee, being elected in 1875. At a town meet- 
ing held soon after his decease, the following was adopted : 
"Eesolved, that as citizens of Plainfield we express our high 
appreciation of his wise and faithful management of public 
affairs, and tender our sympathy to the widow and her 
family under this heavy bereavement." His children are 



174 HISTORY OP PLAINPlELt). 

Carrie L., born Sept. 18, 1S65 ; Mary E., July 3, 1875.— 
Carrie mar. Lucian A. White, (second wife) Dec. 24, 
1886. 

Josiali, 3d, mar. Romina M. Streeter, Jan. 22, 1850. 
They removed to Wisconsin, where they now reside. 

Henry W. settled in Springfield, Mass., and afterward 
in N. Y. City. He was twice married and deceased in 
1890. Had one daughter, Sarah. 

Eliza A, mar. John G. Sawyer of Albion, N. Y., 
June 27, 1855. He at present has the honor of represent- 
ing his district in Congress. 

2. Samuel, of whom a history is given under head of 
"Physicians," mar. Sarah Snell Bryant, daughter of 
Dr. Peter Bryant of Cummington, in" 1821. She died Dec. 
12, 1824, at the age of tweiity-two. They had one daugh- 
ter, Ellen T. Married Clark W. Mitchell, now of Dalton, 
Mass., Aug. 3, 1842; died March 12, 1891, aged sixty-eight. 
Samuel mar. for a second wife Elizabeth O. Clarke of 
Northampton, Oct., 1830. Children : Samuel Francis, 
born Sept. 7, 1833; Stella A., Dec. 13, 1835; Sarah G., Dec. 
17, 183G; Charles Lyman, Feb. 7, 1842; Laura A., Jime 
27, 1840. — Samuel F., of whom a brief history is given else- 
where, mar. Adelaide Roberts of Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 
1877, died Dec. 7, 1884.— Laura A. mar. Dr. E. Darwin 
Hudson, Jr., a physician of N. Y. City, Sept. 7, 1871. He 
deceased two or three years since. The surviving mem- 
bers of the family reside in Astoria, N. Y., excepting dur- 
ing the summer, when they occupy the old homestead, the 
ownership of which they still retain. 

3. Nancy mar. Edmund Campbell, May 23, 1817, 
died Nov., 1820. 

4. Dana mar. Elizabeth Whiton, Ai)ril 2, 1829. He 



SAMUEL STREETER. 176 

was also a pliysician and practiced for more than twenty- 
five years in Barre, N. Y. ; deceased many years since. 

5. Freeman remained on the old homestead where his 
father first settled. Married Harriet Whiton, Ang. 28, 
1828, died Jan. 0, 1870. Children : Ann Zerniah. born 
March 14, 18;J3 ; F. Engene, Aug. 2, 18:U, died Dec. ;50, 
1854; Harriet Augusta, Feb. 11, 18:57; Theodore W., 
June 14, 18:39; Chauncey C, May 20, 1841; Diantha H., 
March 25, 184:}; Elna I., Sept. C, 1849.— Zerniah mar. 
Alden F. Pettengill of Cummington, Nov. 10, 1853. — Au- 
gusta mar. Ira W. Hamlen, July 7, 1858. — Theodore 
mar. Martha E. White, (let. 12, 1802. Has for many 
years been employed at the U. S. Armory at S]nnngfield. 
Chihlren : Anna, born Sept. 1, 1872, died May 22, 1879; 
Etta and Harry. — Chauncey married, and died a few years 
since at Brooklyn, N. Y. Theodore and Chauncey both 
served in the war of the Rel)ellion, Chauncey being the 
first volunteer from Plainfield. — Diantha mar. Joseph 
Woodward, Feb. 27, 1800.— Elna I. mar. Clias. C. Hall 
of Si)ringfield, Oct. 1, 1808. 

SAMUEL STREETER. 

Samuel Streeter was a pioneer settler having come here 
while the town was a part of Cummington. He was born 
in Sturbridge, Mass., in 1754. After serving in the war of 
the Revolution he marritul Bathshel)a Barton oi Charlton 
in 1778, and settled where S. H. Sears )iow lives. Died 
Sept. 7, 1844, his wife having deceased six years before. 
Children : Hannah, born June 16, 1780; Joanna, Oct. 30, 
1781, died Aug. 13, 1787; Jacob, Feb. 21, 1783; Susanna, 
July 30, 1785 ; Auselm, Oct. 4, 1787 ; Lucena, Jan. 4, 
1789; Arnold, Oct. 14, 1790; Trnman, Jan. 20, 179:5; Samuel, 
Jr., Aug. 17, 1795 ; Nahum, Feb. 9, 1797. 



17n HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

1. Hannah mar. Timothy Barker of Heath, Ang. 
19, 1803. 

2. Jacob mar. Hannah Shaw Erskine, April 12, 1802, 
Children : Horace, born April 9, 1804, Almira, Jan. 30, 
180G; Reed Erskine, Nov. 7, 1807 ; Betsey, June 25, 1809; 
Anna, Dec. 16, 1810, died Aug. 29, 1815: Jacob, Jr., April 
2, 1812. This family removed to Ohio. 

3. Susanna mar. Joel Carr, April 1!», 1804, 

5. Lucena mar. Ezra Beals, Jan. 29, 1807. 

6. Arnold mar. Ruth Butler of Buckland, Nov., 1809, 
died May 8, 1872. Children : Romina, born 1810, died 
Oct. 2, 1812; Sereno, March 11, 1812, died Nov. 2, 
1812; Sereno C, born in Pittsfield, Mass., April 22, 
1814; Edwin P., June 3, 181G; Theron L., Aug. 17, 1818; 
Romina M., May 10, 1823; Ruth Ann, Feb. 6, 1828.— Sere- 
no C. mar. Mercy Stetson. Children : Carrie A. , born July 
17, 1839; Belle G., April 11, 1843; Hiram C, May 8, 1849, 
died Sept. 9, 1850; George A., Sept. 15, 1852; MaryE., 
Nov. 22, 1854. — Carrie mar. J. Nelson Benjamin, 
Nov. 24, 1804.— Belle mar. Charles T. Estes of Ad- 
ams, Dec. 13, 1874.— George mar. Vesta E, Whit- 
marsh, Dec. 24, 1873: Children: Cora M., born March 1, 
1878; Edith L., Sept. 6, 1879 ; Herbert G., April 5, 1881. 
— Mary E. mar. Clarence Tower of Cummington, Oct. 
29, 1878. 

Edwin P. mar. Elsie Gloyd; died Nov. 18, 1888. 

Theron L. mar. Maria B. Belding of Ashfield, Oct., 
1845. Children : Clara M., born Oct. 4, 1846; Darwin E., 
March 27, 1848; William and Fred. 

Romina M. mar, Josiah Shaw, 3d, Jan, 22, 1850, 

Ruth Ann mar, George G, Keyes. Now reside in 
Delton, Wisconsin. 



JOSIAH TORREY. 177 

7. Truman, son of Samuel, mar. Nancy Hitchcock 
of Hawley, Sept. 1, 1817. 

8. Samuel, Jr. mar. Anna Copeland, Aug. 30, 1820. 

9. Nalinm mar. Anna Butler, died Sept. 1, 1881. 
Children : Louisa, born July 19, 1824 ; Fred, Aug. 
18, 1828; Lorenzo, Jan. 7,1832; Julia Ann and Mary 
Ann, twins, Oct, 29, 1830. — Louisa mar. Solomon H. 
Deming, March 1, 1849.— Fred died in Greenfield, Mass., 
some years since. — Lorenzo served in the war of the Rebel- 
lion in the 37th Mass., and is now living in Vermont. — Julia 
A. mar. Chas. W. Bogart, Feb. 7, 18(;(;. Live in Williams- 
burg, Mass.— Mary A. died Jan. 29, 1842. 

JOSIAH TORREY. 

Josiah Torrey was born in 1750, prol)a1)ly in Al)ington, 
Mass., and was without doubt a descendant of Capt. Wm. 
Torrey of Combe, St. Nicholas, County of Somerset, Eng- 
land, who came to this country in 1040 or '41 and settled 
in North Weymouth. This Ca])t. William was many 
times chosen representative to General Court. Was for 
about thirty years Clerk of the Courts of Norfolk County. 
He married his second wife after settling in Weymouth. 
The genealogy of Josiah is traced back as follows : — Josiah 
son of Josiah, of Phillip, of William, 2d, of Cai>t. William. 
His father was born in 1720, and settled in the west part 
of Abington. Josiah served in the Revolutionary war 
and as early as 1785 settled in Plainfield, on the farm now 
owned by C. W. Packard. He was called by the old peo- 
ple "Governor" Torrey, but how he obtained the title is 
not clear. The hill on which the house stands still bears 
his name. His wife died July 15, 1819. For a second he 
mar. Olive Segur, March, 1821. Died Aug. 0, 1830. 
12 



178 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

His children were John, Olive, Ruth, Nancy and Josiah, 
Jr., all of whom were probably born in Abington. — John 
mar. Betsey Colson, Oct., 1812. — Olive mar. Ansel Con- 
verse of Windsor, Nov., 1812. — Ruth mar. John Ford of 
Cummington, (second wife) May 18, 1834. — Nancy mar. 
Ebenezer Shaw, Jr. of Cummington, Jan. 2, 1817. — Josiah, 
Jr. mar. Polly Nash, Sept. 21, 1815. She died May 10, 
1817. For a second wife he mar. Abigail Tirrell, widow 
of Isaac Tirrell, Jan., 1810. Their children were Mary N., 
born Sept. 27, 1810; Edwin T., Feb. 13, 1821; Philena L., 
Feb. 18, 1823; Merritt P., June 8, 1825; Austin W., Aug. 
10, 1820; Francis N., Dec. 11, 1831. 

1. Mary N. mar. Josiah Perkins. Reside in Pawtucket, 
R. I. 

2. Edwin mar. Candace D. Stanford of Rowe, April, 
1843. Children: Mary A., born 1844; George O., born 
Sept. 8, 1850, died Sept. 13, 1852; George A., Nov. 14, 
1858. — Mary A. mar. James A. Nash, Sept. 15, 1860. — 
George A. mar. Philibena Stemple of Buckland, Jan. 21, 
1883. Have one daughter, Mabel. 

3. Philena, mar. William Gurney, (second wife) Jan., 
1844. 

4. Merritt mar. Celestia E. Tirrell, April 13, 1848. 
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1800 and served seven 
years. Also represented the town and district in the Leg- 
islature in 1877. Children: Flora L., born Sept. 20, 1856; 
Alden L., June 6, 1860. 

5. Austin mar. Sarah L. J. Wing of Hinsdale, Mass., 
Oct., 1852. 

6. Francis mar. Julia M. Remington, Nov. 24, 1853. 
Austin and Francis were both teachers or School Super- 
intendents in New Jersey for many years, being highly 



AMOS TIRRELL. * 179 

esteemed. Francis died n few years since from injuries 
received by being thrown from a wagon. His death was 
considered a great loss to the community in which he 
lived. 

AMOS TIRRELL. 

Amos Tirrell was born in Abington (or Weymouth) 
Mass., in 1703. Settled here about 1780, on the farm now 
occupied by Merritt Torrey. He was known by the name 
of "Old Orchard" among the towns-people. Presented 
each of his children on their marriage with a farm; died 
March G, 1810. Children: Hannah, l)orn in Abington, 
March 11, 1787; Isaac, Dec. 5, 1780; Amos, Jr., Nov. 18, 
1702; Orren, June 13, 1705; Arza, Feb. 18, 1700; Abram 
Shaw, April 18, 1802; Clarissa, May 25, 1800, died July 12, 
1825; James, Aug. 31, 1812. 

1. Hannah mar. Samuel Thayer, Jr., March 27, 180G. 
Settled where Lemuel Mason now lives and reared a large 
family. 

2. Isaac mar. Nabby Snow of Windsor, Feb., 1813, died 
Dec. 2, 1811; had one son who died in infancy. 

3. Amos, Jr. mar. Electa Nash, March, 1813, died Nov. 
16, 1825. Children: Russell, born Jan. 22, 1814; Lois J., 
Sept. 20, 1815; Isaac, Oct. 4, 1818; Sophronia, Aug. 13, 
1820; Polly N., Aug. 2, 1823. His widow afterward mar. 
Benjamin Town. — Russell mar. Mrs. Lucy M. Campbell, 
widow of J. Dwight Campbell, April 22, 1852. Children: 
Arthur R., born Feb. 10, 1853; Emma L., Juno 2(;, 1857. 
—Arthur mar. Nellie M. Clark, Nov. 27, 1870.— Emma is 
a professional nurse in Hartford, Conn, 

Lois J. mar. Daniel Burt of Southampton, Nov., 1834. 
Isaac mar. Melissa Sackett of Westfield. Slio deceased 



180 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD. 

and he married his present wife who was Hannah Phipps. 
They reside in Holyoke. — Sophronia mar. Sumner Burt, 
April 31, 1840.— Polly N. mar. Edmund Burt of Southamp- 
ton, June 12, 1850. 

4. Orren mar. Lydia Snell of Ware, Aug. 5, 1817, died 
Jan. 25, 1880. Children: Sarah S., born 1819; Joseph W., 
Aug. 19, 1822; Orren, Jr., 1823; Mary C, Aug. 4, 1828, 
died Feb. 19, 1860; Emeline E., Aug. 9, 1830.— Sarah mar. 
Paul H. Cudworth, (second wife) Oct. 21, 1852. — Joseph 
W. mar. Huldah Woodard of Ware; has one son, Arthur 
W., a clergyman of the Methodist denomination, a prom- 
ising young man. His wife deceased and for a second 
he mar. Antoinette C. Bryant of Chesterfield. — Orren, Jr. 
mar. Octavia Ford of Cummington, June 27, 1852. — Eme- 
line mar. Edward Thayer of Chesterfield, Oct. 27, 1853. 

5. Arza mar. Electa Snow. Children; Lydia P., born 
July 13, 1823; Artemas R., June 24, 1828; Susan G., Nov. 
G, 1830; Elizabeth C, July 28, 1834; Spencer N., Jan. 27, 
1838, and two who died in infancy. — Lydia mar. Justus 
Mason of Cummington, March 10, 1842; Artemas mar. 
Nancy Olds of Peru. — Susan mar. Brigham C. Streeter of 
Cummington, Oct., 1850. — Elizabeth mar. Spencer Tower 
of Chesterfield, Nov., 1852. — Spencer mar. for a second 
wife Samantha Haskins, April 7, 18G4, who was a sister of 
his first. 

6. Abram S. mar. Eunice Fuller, March 24, 1825, died 
Jan. 15, 1843. Children: Celestia E., born Jan. 25, 1828; 
Harriet A., Aug. 31, 1830; Elisha F., May 5, 1834, and one 
older daughter, who died in infancy. — Celestia mar. Mer- 
ritt Torrey, April 13, 1848. — Harriet mar. Albert Ford of 
Windsor, May 9, 1850. 



ELIJAH WARNER. 181 

7. James mar. Clarissa Bird of Windsor, June, 1835; 
had two cliildren who died in childhood, and adopted three. 

ELIJAH WARNER. 

Elijah Warner was born in Hardwick, Mass., in 1767. 
Mar. Betsey Mitchell of Cummington and settled on the 
farm afterwards occupied by his sons, dishing and Wells. 
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in LSOl and served eigh- 
teen years. Represented the town in General Court at 
Boston in 1821 and 1827; was appointed a Justice of the 
Peace in 1828, and held the office until his death, which 
occurred Dec. 20, 1844. Children: Betsey, born Aug. 27, 
1790; James, July 23, 1798; Melancia, July 8, 1800; Cush- 
ing, Sept. 1(5, 1802; William, Aug. 9, 1804; Elijah, Jr., 
Sept. 21, 1800; Wells, Dec. 12, 1808; Roswell H., Jan. 30, 
1812; Janette, Sept. 20, 1819. 

1. Betsey mar. Simeon Streeterof Cummington, (second 
wife) Dec. 23, 1830. 

2. James mar. Fidelia Whiton, Sept. 23, 1824, died 
April 7, 1890. Children: James Emerson, born Sept. 24, 
1825; Fidelia Loraine, Sept. 4, 1827; Florilla D., Feb. 11, 
1830; Elizabeth R., April 3, 1832, died Dec. 8, 1834; Sarah 
W., Sept. 8, 1834; Almon M., March 0, 1843. J. Emerson 
became a physician and was for some years in California. 
At |Ji'esent resides in Sterling, Va. — F, Loraine mar. E. 
Alden Clark, Oct. 30, 1849, died Oct. 18, 1854.— Florilla D. 
mar. Alberto C. Shattuck, Jan. 1, 1852; he died Oct. 15 
the same year. She afterwards mar. Rev. S. D. Taylor. 
They are now living at So. New Lyme, Ohio. — Sarah W. has 
been a teacher in the public schools of this and neighbor- 
ing towns, having taught over tifty terms. She remained 
with her parents caring for them through their last years. 



182 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD. 

— Alnioii M. served three years in the war of the Rebellion 
in the 37th Mass., and was promoted to the rank of Lieut. 
Studied law and is now practising in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

3. Melancia mar. Lemuel Howlett of Hartford, Ct. 
(third wife), April 20, 1853. Died in Plainfield, Nov. 3, 
1884. 

5. William mar. Annis Crittenden, April 23, 1835, 
Children : Wm. Edwards, born April 1, 1830 ; Eliza A., 
Sept. 11, 1837 ; Flora C, Jan. 29, 1840, died Dec. 14, 1-841 ; 
Mary Flora, Sept. 24, 1842; Laura E., March 15, 1848. 
His wife died Oct. 30, 1852, and he mar. Mrs Polly 
P. Latham, widow of Robert A. Latham, Jan. 23, 1855. 
They had two children, twins, Frank A. and Fannie A., 
born Oct. 22, 1855. Frank died April 26, 1863. Wm. 
Edwards enlisted in the army in the fall of 1862, and 
served in the 46th Mass. , which was stationed near New- 
bern, N. C. , at which place he died while in the service, 
June 28, 1863, of typhoid fever. He was to have been 
married to Miss Augusta M. Dyer in the fall of 1862, 
had he not enlisted. It was thought best to postpone the 
marriage, which on account of his death never took place. 
Eliza A. mar. Wm. J. Shattuck (second wife). Reside in 
Covert, Mich.— Flora M. mar. Edward A. Rood, Oct. 25, 
1863. They also reside at Covert, Mich. — Laura E. mar. 
George L. Campbell, Nov. 27, 1867. Reside in North- 
ampton. — Fannie mar. Hiram Rood. Also live in North- 
ampton. — William died Oct. 6, 1865. 

6. Elijah, Jr. mar. Mary Ann Shaw, Jan. 11, 1844. 
Died Aug. 11, 1889. No children. 

8. Roswell H. married and lived in Dalton, Mass. 
Died in 1890. Neither wife or children survive him. 
Gushing, Wells and Janette never married, but remained 



CALEB WHITE. 183 

Oil the old liomestead. Ciisliiiig died May •.*, 188"^, and 
Wells died eight days later. It is a singular fact that 
it has been the lot of Jaiiette to care for four of her 
brothers during their last sickness, viz. : Gushing, Wells, 
Elijah Jr., and Roswell, which she has done with great 
patience and faithfulness. She now resides in town with 
her nephew, C. W. Streeter. 

CALEB WHITE. 

Caleb White was one of the pioneer settlers. Came 
here while the district was still a part of Cummington, 
and lived in a house which stood a few rods south of the 
one occupied afterward by his son Samuel. Was born in 
Bridge water, Mass., in 1744. Served in the Revolution- 
ary army, being over thirty years old when the war 
commenced. A wooden flask or canteen which he carried 
in the service, is now in the possession of his great- 
granddaughter, Mrs. Theodore W. Shaw of Springfield, 
Mass. It bears the name of Caleb White, with date of 
May 0, 1775. He was chosen one of the selectmen the 
next year after Plainfield was set off", and served four 
years. He understood surveying and owned a surveyor's 
compass and other instruments, his services being often 
in demand. He died on the farm where he orignally 
settled, April 8, 1840, at the age of ninety-six. Had two 
sons. Ziba, born in Bridgewater, probably in 1771, and 
Samuel, born in Cummington, Sept. 10, 1770. Ziba lived 
on or near the spot where W. E. Shaw lives. Married 
Huldah Gloyd, Feb. 34, 1794, died April 0, 184:i. Chil- 
dren : Hannah, born Oct. 25, 1707; Electa, April 20, 
17'.)!>, both of whom died in early childhood. Nahum, 
Dec. 20, 18(H); Loren, July 1, 1802; Calvin, Aug. 13, 



184 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

18U4 ; Amy, March 8, 1800 ; Newell, Nov. 30, 1807 ; Dex- 
ter, Nov. 17, 1800; Huldali, 1814. Loren mar. Harriet 
Beals, March 31, 1823. 

Newell studied medicine, became a physician and set- 
tled in Pennsylvania, where he is still living. — Dexter 
mar. Lydia Gurney, N<jv., 1837. Children : Dexter Wel- 
lington, born Jan. 4, 1839; Shepard L., Dec. 31, 1840; 
Mary Ellen, Nov. 3, 1844; Herbert H., Oct. 11, 1853.— 
Huldah mar. Wm. Gurney, June 8, 1836, died Aug. 1, 
1842. 

Samuel, son of Caleb, mar. Polly Norton, Nov. 28, 
1799. Was chosen one of the selectmen in 1834 and 
served four years. Died March 21, 1871. Children : Nor- 
man, born Aug. 31,1800; Mary, March 31, 1802; Annis, 
Feb. 4, 1804; Sally, Aug. 23, 1805; Deborah, June 1, 
1807 ; William, Aug. 12, 1808 ; John, Jan. 21, 1810 ; 
Cynthia, March 19, 1812 ; Oren, Dec. 30, 1814 ; Samuel 
Orson, Jan. 12, 1817 ; Henry Kirke, March 31, 1820 ; Ed- 
win T., Jan. 1(), 1822, died Aug. 9, 1830 ; Armelia, Aug. 
12, 1823 ; Brackley C, May 6, 1825, died Aug. 5, 1830. 
Three others, two sons and a daughter, died in infancy, 
making seventeen children in all, ten sons and seven 
daughters. This is believed to be the largest family ever 
produced in Plain field. Norman mar. Allnna Gloyd, 
June 20, 1821. — Mary mar. Vinson Nash, Dec, 5, 1821. 
He having deceased, she mar. Bela Dyer (third wife), 
June 2, 1805.— Annis mar. Orren Stetson, Jan. 1, 1828, 
Died March 10, 1885.— Sally mar. Levi Stetson, 2d, Feb. 
12, 1824. — Deborah mar. Bela Dyer, Sept. 30, 1834, died 
Nov. 10, 1828.— William married and died Sept. 2, 1852.— 
Oren mar. Esther Wagner of Cummington, May, 1837. — 
Samuel O. (or Orson S. as he has always been known). 



DAVID WHITON, 185 

mar. Louisa B. Sliaw, daugliter of David, Feb. 14, 1830, 
died Feb. 5, 181)1. Had one daugbter, Martba E., T)orn 
Sept. 18, 184:5, mar. Tbeodore W. Sbaw, Oct. 1:^, 1802.— 
Also an adopted son, Lucian A. — Henry K. mar. Harriet 
N. Hastings of Buckkind, Nov., 1841. — Armelia mar. Ab- 
ner Gurney, Nov. 14, 1843. Only one of tliese sons, 
Orson S., settled in Plainfield. 

DAVID WHITON. 

David Wliiton (tbis name bas since been written 
Wbiting) was one of tbe early settlers. His bouse 
stood wbere No. 3 scbool-liouse now stands. He was 
the son of Abijab and was born in Hingbam, Mass., 
Nov. 10, 1701). Mar. Racbel Randall of Hatfield, (wbo 
was tbrougb ber motber a descendant of Robert Bruce 
of Scotland,) Jan. 1705. He was a man of good ex- 
eciitive ability and was often moderator of tbe town meet- 
ings. Died Sept. 1), 1849. Children: Mary, born Nov. 
28, 1790: Fidelia, Dec. 27, 1799; Betsey, Dec. 22, 1801; Da- 
vid Randall, Feb. G, 1803; Tbeodore, March 20, 1805; Har- 
riet, May 18, 1807; Clarissa, Jan. 21, 1810; Racbel, Oct. 9, 
1811; William Chandler. Feb. 10, 1813; Lewis E., March 
7, 1815. — Mary mar. James Joy, June 10, 1818, died April 
12, 1888.— Fidelia mar. James Warner, Sept. 23, 1824, died 
Aug. 11, 1887. — Betsey (or Elizabeth) mar. Dana Sbaw, 
April 2, 1829. — David R. mar. Harriet Parker of Belcher- 
town, Sept., 1832. Children: David Bruce, born Aug. 
15, 1833; Tbeodore P., Jan. 28, 1830. — Harriet mar. Free- 
man Shaw, Aug. 2S, 1828, died June 5, 1888. — Clarissa mar. 
Freeman Hamlen, died Oct. 13, 1847. — Rachel mar. Royal 
B. Hibbard of Barre, N. Y., May 27, 1835.— William C. 
mar. Lucretia Shaw, daughter of David, Oct. 30, 1830; 



186 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 

bad one child, Wm. Augustus, born April U, 1838, died 
Oct. 31, 1840. He is tbe only surviving member of the 
family. — Lewis E. mar. Diantba Sliaw, and settled at Sara- 
toga, N. Y. Died a few years since. 

JACOB WHITMARSH. 

Jacob Wliitmarsb was born in Cummington, Jan. 1, 
1789. Mar. Olive Packard, daughter of Adam Packard of 
Cummington, Dec. 39, 1814. She was a school-mate of 
Wm. Cullen Bryant. He used to say there was no com- 
petitor in his spelling class whom he feared except Olive 
Packard. They settled in the extreme southwest corner 
of the town, about a mile north of West Cummington, 
which at that time had no existence as a village. Died 
Feb. 9, 1872, his wife having deceased a few years before. 
Children: Polly P., born Nov. 19, 1815; Florintha, April 
15, 1817; Mary Ann, Jan. 14, 1819; Jacob S., June 9, 1833; 
Fordyce, April 39, 1836; Rachel, May 31, 1831; Nahum, 
Oct. 16, 1834. 

1. Polly mar. Robert A. Latham, May 34, 1838. Lived 
on the place lately occupied by Abishur Nash. Mr. 
Latham in company with Dea. Elias Giddings owned and 
operated a tannery near where Lester Streeter lives. He 
died July 33, 1851, leaving four children. For a second 
husband she mar. William Warner, Jan. 33, 1855. He 
died Oct. 6, 1865, and for a third she mar. Riley Westcott 
of Cheshire, about 1870. She died at Florence, Mass., 
Feb. 10, 1885. 

3. Florintha mar. Verren Dawes of Cummington, May 
34, 1837. He deceased leaving two small children, and 
about 1858 she mar. Isaac Bates of Cummington. He died 
about 1864, also leaving two small children. In April, 



JACOB WHITMARSH. 187 

1871, she iiuir. Lewis Ford of Cleveland, Oliio, wliere 
they now reside. 

3. Mary Ann mar. Newell Dyer, May 24, 1842, died 
May 2, 18GG. 

4. Jacob S. mar. Polly Bartlett of Cummington, Nov, 
oO, 1848. Children: Vesta, horn 1851, and Alvah, and two 
who died in infancy. — Vesta mar. George A. Streeter, 
Dec. 24, 1873. They live on and have charge of the Wm. 
CuUen Bryant place in Cnnimington. — The wife of Jacob 
S. died in Worthington, and for a second he mar. Maria 
S. Nash, April 10, 18G5. Children: Mattie P., born March 
20, 18G7; Bessie V., Sept. 28, 1872, died 18'J0. Reside in 
Florence, Mass. He was chosen one of the School Com- 
mittee in 1871, serving three years; has also served on the 
School Board in other towns. 

5. Fordyce mar. Eliza Allen of Windsor, Jan., 1852. 
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1858, serving two 
years. Children: Julia; Fannie A., born Nov. 7, 1857; 
Sarah A., Nov. 25, 1801. — Julia mar. J. H. Judd of East- 
hami^ton. Now reside in St. Paul, Minn. — Fannie mar, 
Granville Matthews. Reside in Chelsea, Mass, — Fordyce 's 
wife deceased about 1880, For a second wife he mar, Mrs, 
Marion C, Dyer, widow of Edwin J, Dyer, Dec. 5, 1888. 
They reside in Easthampton, Mass. 

0. Rachel mar, Levi N. Campbell, (second wife) Nov. 
24, 1852. Died in Florence, Mass., Jan., 1887. 

7, Nahuni mar. Mary Lucas of Springfield, Nov, 1, 
1871, Reside in Springfield, Mass, 




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